Gillingham manager Steve Evans has given fans a statement saying he is still looking to add to his Gillingham squad after a frustrating deadline day in North Kent.
Transfer deadline day wasn’t as successful as Evans would have liked; three players left the club on Monday including experienced defender Gabriel Zakuani.
Speaking to the club’s website, Evans said: “There were a couple of clubs who had a late change of heart and did not want their players to leave because they failed to secure their own targets.
“Further, we could not agree personal terms with two players’ representatives, we must never jeopardise this football club’s financial future especially given recent events at Bolton Wanderers and Bury.”
There were a number of new signings throughout the summer at Priestfield but the new faces dried up as the season began.
Despite this, Evans is expecting two more players to sign this week ahead of the match this weekend at Tranmere Rovers.
“I would like to acknowledge the support of the Chairman because we went for a couple of very talented players today with confirmed written offers.
“There is no doubt we have a small squad, but we have created some further room in the budget given the exits today.
“Let me assure everyone there have been no paid off contracts to any levels in the last few weeks, or today, that would give anyone any concern, each represented good value for this football club and credit goes to the Chairman and the lads themselves.”
“Once again I would like to re-emphasise to the Gills supporters who have been nothing short of superb in my short time here, that we will only sign players who can add something to the group, who can bring quality to the group, and can increase the strength and unity of the squad. We will not sign players for the sake of making a signing and I think this was demonstrated when we waited patiently to add Olly Lee and Tommy O’Connor last week.”
Although Gillingham are no longer able to sign players from other clubs, the club can still sign free agents, as long as they were not under contract at a club after the transfer deadline.
They will play Colchester at Priestfield in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night before facing the long trip to Merseyside to face Tranmere Rovers on Saturday.