There’s an open invitation for Steve Bruce to come and pay a visit to Gillingham’s training ground.

Head coach Stephen Clemence was Bruce’s long-term assistant at teams such as Hull City, Aston Villa and Newcastle United before going it alone and taking over as Gills’ head coach.

Bruce has remained a trusted advisor for Clemence since they went their separate ways but the vastly experienced player and manager - who is currently taking some well-earned time away - has yet to come along in person to a game at Priestfield.

Bruce had encouraged Clemence to go for the job at Gillingham.

Clemence is keen to get Bruce back to Gillingham to meet the team and said: “Steve is currently away and lives a good four hours away from Gillingham, but I am sure probably next time he visits London I would like to get him in to watch a game and even to get him down to training on a Friday, to meet some of the players and staff.

“I know he would have plenty to offer, I only said to the coaches the other week that I would love to get him in at some point this season because he would be good to have around the place.”

While Clemence has Bruce on the end of the phone should he need some expert pointers, there are others he calls on too.

He said: “I have people I trust and I still speak to Steve Bruce quite regularly and any issues I have he is there to help me, or to advise me.

“There are other people as well like Chris Hughton (the current Ghana manager and former Brighton boss among others) and Nigel Pearson (the former Leicester manager).

“There is always a contact on the end of the phone should I need it and that is nice to have.”

Bruce would be a welcome figure at the Gills having started his professional career at the club and playing over 200 games between 1979 and 1984.

Clemence and Bruce last worked together at West Bromwich Albion. Since their exit in October 2022, Bruce hasn’t returned to management although he recently said that he’d be open to getting back involved in some capacity.