Gillingham target Andy Woodman appears to have ruled himself out of the running for the vacant management job at Priestfield.

While the Gills sank to the bottom of League 1 on Saturday, Woodman’s Bromley side enjoyed an impressive comeback win at Grimsby Town, to keep apace with the top clubs in the National League.

Gillingham were given permission to speak to Woodman last week but the Ravens boss admits it’s dragging on and his focus is with Bromley.

Woodman told BT Sport after their 2-1 win at Grimsby on Saturday: “I have to be honest to myself and with my family, and I have to be honest with my chairman more importantly. It’s dragged on a little bit and I think sometimes in life when things drag on a little bit you know it’s not the right thing. So my focus is in Bromley, and that’s where it’s going to be.”

The new odds-on favourite with the bookies is former QPR and Millwall player Marc Bircham.

Bircham, 43, was most recently manager at League of Ireland side Waterford. Prior to that he has been coach at QPR, assistant manager at Millwall and spent time as technical director of The Bahamas international side after spells with American clubs Arizona United and Chicago Fire. He played internationally for Canada.

Gillingham are currently being managed by Steve Lovell, in caretaker charge for the last two games following the departure of Steve Evans.

They enjoyed a decent second-half performance at Wigan on Saturday under Lovell but lost the game 3-2.

Lovell was asked after the game if he will be in charge going forward.

“I don’t know, I haven’t got a clue,” Lovell commented.

“I will prepare (for Tuesday’s game with Shrewsbury) but I don’t know what is going to happen between now and then, until I am told otherwise I will just carry on preparing and doing what I have to do.”

• Positives in defeat says Lovell

Gillingham have also been linked to former Cardiff City and Millwall boss Neil Harris. The 44-year-old has apparently shown interest in the vacancy and will be keen to get back into work after a year out.

Whoever gets the job has plenty to do. The transfer window is closing soon and the Gills are 10 points adrift of safety, sitting bottom of the pile in League 1.