Gillingham remain in talks over extending Alex MacDonald’s stay at the club amid speculation that he could be rejoining old boss Steve Evans.

The Gills hope to persuade the attacking midfielder to extend his time at Priestfield but with a decent second half of the season behind him and playing 55 games there will be others keen on signing him up.

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Stevenage’s excellent campaign led to a second placed finish in League 2 and another promotion for former Gills boss Evans.

Evans has twice had MacDonald play under him, at Mansfield and Gillingham, and they have a good relationship. The 33-year-old came into the season off the back of a serious injury but the amount of games he’s played shows there are no concerns over his fitness.

One thing that could hinder the Gills is location, as MacDonald has family up north, while he’ll also be looking for certainty with as long a contract as possible.

Gills manager Neil Harris, speaking on Thursday, said: “We are in conversations with a couple that are ongoing but the fact that we are in negotiations is a positive, but then flipping it that we haven’t agreed contracts leaves things open as well, at the moment contract conversations are still ongoing with David (Tutonda) and Alex.”

The Gills published their retained list on Friday.

Captain Stuart O’Keefe – who has said he is ready for another challenge - is the most high profile of those leaving while Bailey Akehurst, Jordan Green and Scott Kashkett are also leaving the club. There’s been no offer made to left-back Lewis Page.

Olly Lee has retired and Ben Reeves is among those now out of contract but he will stay with the Gills during his rehabilitation from injury.

It’s left Harris with a senior squad of 16 with a younger group set to form a development side.

Gillingham’s list of contracted players for 2023/24 includes Josh Chambers, who was in talks over a new deal. Players remaining are Glenn Morris, Jake Turner, Cheye Alexander, Max Ehmer, Will Wright, Dom Jefferies, Jayden Clarke, Ethan Coleman, Robbie McKenzie, Shaun Williams, Tim Dieng, George Lapslie, Lewis Walker, Tom Nichols, Oli Hawkins, Joe Gbode.

The youth players offered professional contracts are Sam Gale, Alex Giles and Ronald Sithole. The club say that “talks are ongoing between relevant parties” with regards to a deal for young Australian Matty MacArthur.

Will Dempsey, Julian Kuhr, Elliott Moore and Freddie Carter have not been offered professional contracts.