by Luke Cawdell

Striker Jo Kuffour insists Gillingham’s hopes of automatic promotion are far from over.

The newly-returned striker speaks from experience after helping Torquay mount a late surge toward promotion eight years ago.

He slotted back into Gillingham’s attack on Saturday and hopes his goals will help bring similar success to Priestfield.

Kuffour (pictured) said: "We are not even looking at the play-offs, we want automatic promotion and still think it’s achievable.

"If we can put a good run together, then anything can happen."

Kuffour marked his return to the Gills side against AFC WImbledon with a goal and an assist, taking his personal strike tally in League 2 to nine, having already netted once for Bristol Rovers before making the switch to Priestfield.

He had already formed a strong partnership with Danny Kedwell during his loan stint at Gills and was pleased to also link up with Gavin Tomlin again.

The pair last played together during the 2006/07 season at Brentford.

"I know about him and he doesn’t live too far from me as well," said the 30-year-old.

"It’s good to have good players in the team and that can only help us. Having familiar faces will help us bond on the pitch.

"Keds is a great player and he does a lot of hard work for the team. I like playing up there with him."

Kuffour’s previous loan spell ended with seven goals in 13 appearances and he returned last week on a permanent deal from Bristol Rovers until the end of the season.

He had offers elsewhere before joining the Gills and there was speculation a change of manager at Rovers could tempt him to stay there but he had only one thing in mind.

He said: "I was always coming back. There was never a doubt in my mind (that I would leave Rovers) and it wasn’t just the manager. It was the whole club that I wanted to get away from. It didn’t matter which manager went in there.

"There were several other clubs interested in me and I spoke to a couple of managers but I always knew I wanted to come back here."

Kuffour agreed a short term deal to return but hasn’t ruled out a longer term stay at Priestfield.

He said: "I never like to plan too far ahead and I just want to take it to the end of the season and, God willing, we’ll get promotion, whether that’s through automatic promotion or the play-offs. Then I will assess my situation from there."