Kent Sports News understands Martin Allen could be unveiled as the new Gillingham manager in the next 48 hours.

The former Barnet boss is set to replace Andy Hessenthaler in the managerial hotseat at Priestfield and is set to be unveiled to the media in a press conference as early as Thursday.

Allen has been tipped to take over at Priestfield after it was revealed by Sky Sports that Dagenham & Redbridge manager John Still turned down an approach to take over.

The former West Ham United midfielder would begin work straight away with the players set to return for pre-season training on Thursday.

Allen finished with season with Barnet, keeping them in League Two after they had look destined to be relegated to the Conference, but had started the season with Notts County, before being sacked in February.

He began his managerial career with Barnet in 2003, before going on to spend two season in charge with Brentford. Allen left the Bees to take up a job managing Milton Keynes Dons, before moving on to Leicester City where he lasted just four games before being sacked by the Foxes.

Allen was appointed manager of Cheltenham Town in September 2008, but was relieved of his duties after having been put on gardening leave following a nightclub incident and left the club in Decemeber 2009.

He then returned to Barnet for the final eight games of the 2010/11 season, but stayed for just three games before leaving the club for a second time to take over at Notts County.

Since then, Allen has been doing some scouting for Queens Park Rangers before taking over at Barnet in April for the final three games of the season.

Nicknamed “Mad Dog”, Allen is renowned as being a no nonsense manager and will certainly instill some authority at Gillingham, working with Andy Hessenthaler as the club’s Director of Football.

A former England Under 21 international in his playing days, Allen started his career at Queens Park Rangers before leaving for West Ham United in 1989.

He had six seasons at Upton Park before moving on to Portsmouth. His playing career ended in 1998 after just five games for Southend United.

Meanwhile, the Gillingham squad will be heading to France next week are set to play a game against an as yet unnamed side in Le Touquet on Saturday 14th July.