Gillingham in contract talks with Alex MacDonald and David Tutonda; Manager Neil Harris confirms Stuart O’Keefe will leave in the summer while striker Lewis Walker remains
Published: 12:57, 03 May 2023
Gillingham manager Neil Harris has confirmed the status of some of their out of contract players heading into the summer.
Harris spoke to the press on Wednesday morning and said talks are ongoing with midfielder Alex MacDonald while revealing the club are also in discussions over a new deal for left-back David Tutonda.
Harris said: “I would love to see Macca at the club. I have been in this position many times as a player and now I see it from a coach and a manager, it has to be right for all parties.
“I really respect the club and Macca’s positions. Talks are ongoing, I hope there is a conclusion to that.
“Players that are leaving us will all know before Saturday afternoon where they are at, there might be the odd grey area with players still discussing contracts but loan players know where they’re at, whether or not we would like to sign them, talks are ongoing, everyone will be clear.
“The ones I can’t control are in negotiations, Alex MacDonald and David Tutonda for example. I can’t control that.”
The manager has previously said that captain Stuart O’Keefe won’t feature during the last weeks of the season and has now confirmed he will be leaving this summer.
O’Keefe’s departure will be of little surprise as he has barely featured in the second half of the season during the uplift in form. He’s played over 100 games for the Gills.
Dom Jefferies picked up the young player-of-the-year trophy at the season awards on Sunday and remains contracted beyond this summer, as does back-up goalkeeper Jake Turner.
New deals have already been agreed with Glenn Morris, Max Ehmer, Cheye Alexander, Robbie McKenzie and Shaun Williams.
Ben Reeves is out injured and won’t be fit until August. He is out of contract at the end of this season.
Striker Lewis Walker has also been on the sidelines and close to returning but the medical team don’t want to push him too hard, too quickly and pick up another injury. He’s got another year left on his deal which he agreed last summer.
There are four loan players at the club, with Conor Masterson (QPR) and Aiden O’Brien (Shrewsbury) the ones manager Harris is most likely to want to keep.
Hakeeb Adelakun (Lincoln) has been out of favour in recent months and Tristan Abrahams (Eastleigh) hasn’t had many minutes of late, without an appearance in the last three games.
Scott Kashket looks likely to be heading for the exit door while left-back Lewis Page hasn’t been in the 18-man matchday squad for past last three games, with just two substitute appearances since becoming available.
Jordan Green hasn’t played for the Gills since Harris declared the winger was no longer part of his plans. He’ll certainly be looking for a new club this summer.
Will Wright is understood to still be in contract beyond the summer along with recent additions Timothee Dieng, George Lapslie, Ethan Coleman, Jayden Clarke, Tom Nichols and Oli Hawkins.
First year pro Josh Chambers is back at the club from a loan spell with Worthing while there will also be a decision made on young left-back Bailey Akehurst. Youth striker Joe Gbode has already agreed a professional contract.
More by this author
Luke Cawdell