GUY BUTTERS takes his place at the heart of Gillingham's defence at Nottingham Forest on Saturday insisting the ball is in the club's court over his future. The day after collecting the ITV Sport Channel's man of the match award for his performance against Birmingham last Friday, Butters watched Queens Park Rangers against Colchester, fuelling speculation that he could soon be on the move to Loftus Road.

Rangers inquired about him last season, as did Cardiff, and more recently he was linked with Brighton. Butters asked for a move last month when no new contract offer was forthcoming. His present agreement ends in the summer. Rejuvenated following two outstanding performances in the space of four days against Stockport and Birmingham, Butters stressed: "The ball is in the club's court over my future. If I was offered a contract I would probably sign. When I received the bottle of champagne after the Birmingham game I was told by the interviewer I would have no trouble finding another club on that form. I'll wait and see.

"I'm in the shop window and that performance on television will have helped."

Butters, who broke back into the side in October after 10 months out of the game with a serious knee injury, hit back at those who criticised his early performances.

"Those who criticised me can't understand the effect a bad injury can have on a player. Just ask the gaffer (Andy Hessenthaler) because we're both in the same boat."