Gillingham boss Justin Edinburgh is playing it cool over striker John Marquis.

League 1 rivals Millwall have decided against offering the frontman a new deal for next season and Edinburgh might be tempted to make a move.

Marquis enjoyed his time with the Gills on loan, having joined from Millwall shortly before Edinburgh quit Newport to take charge at Priestfield.

The 24-year-old scored eight league goals from 18 starts during the back end of the 2014/15 campaign.

Edinburgh, speaking before the weekend, said: “I know John and I know he is available. I am not saying we are talking to him but I am not saying we aren’t going to.

“I am fully aware of what John brought to the football club while I was there and I am not discounting him. I have not spoken to him but I know his representatives. I know what John is about.”

The Gills were keen to tie up a deal for Marquis last year but Millwall extended his stay for another season, with their boss Neil Harris impressed by his spell at Priestfield.

Harris was, however, unable to get the same performances out of the striker last season and he was sent on loan to Leyton Orient, before finishing the campaign with League 2 champions Northampton.

He scored six goals in 13 starts for the Cobblers on their way to winning the title. Marquis appeared in 15 games during his spell at Northampton and was never on the losing team.

Read the full story in Monday's Medway Messenger