Justin Edinburgh is keeping the door open should a hidden gem emerge at Gillingham.

Last summer the Gills manager handed Josh Wright the chance to train with his squad, initially with no intention of signing him but in the end was blown away by his quality on and off the pitch.

With hundreds of out-of-contract players available and an abundance of non-league talent looking for an opportunity, Edinburgh is keeping all options open.

Edinburgh said: “Josh was one of the best trialists I have ever had in my time of being a manager.

“I wouldn’t want an influx of trialists but if there is a talented player and one who had maybe had injuries and is a talent, or a couple of little gems you might look at from non-league, I have no worries at all.”

Folkestone striker Harry Smith is one man who has been told can train with the Gills, after a trial last season was cut short through injury.

Gillingham have also been linked this week with forward Moses Emmanuel, who was Bromley’s top scorer last season and is available on a free transfer.

Edinburgh has a track record of spotting talent. Defender Regan Poole was handed his league debut at Newport as a 16-year-old and joined Manchester United a year later.

Chatham-born Conor Washington, part of Northern Ireland’s Euro 2016 side, was signed by Edinburgh at Newport after impressing for St Ives Town. In January, he moved to QPR for a deal of around £2.5m.

Speaking ahead of the club’s pre-season trip to France this week, Edinburgh said: “There are one or two out there from non-league that we might look to pursue, or bring in and look at in behind closed doors games. We have our eye on that.”