Andy Hessenthaler has revealed Luke Rooney was omitted from Gillingham’s squad after the midfielder rejected a new contract.

Rooney was not included in the 16-man squad at Aldershot on Saturday which emerged with a 2-1 win after turning down a “very good offer”, according to Hessenthaler.

And while the Gills boss appears to be resigned to losing the youngster in the summer, he insists he will continue to leave Rooney out of his side while the contract wrangle continues.

“We’ve offered a new deal and come to loggerheads,” Hessenthaler told BBC Radio Kent. “We’d love him to sign but we don’t think he’s going to sign the improved offer. There’s nobody bigger than the football club.

“I only want players who are committed to getting us out of this division so, at the moment, he won’t be in the squad.

“Although we made Luke a very good offer, they’re adamant they’re not going to sign it. Whatever happens, if he leaves in the summer there’s compensation because he’s under the age of 24.”

“I’m surprised, because the offer is a good one considering how many games he’s played, he’s still a young boy. We need players who are going to be committed to the cause, so I made the decision with the chairman to leave him out of the 18.”

Rooney’s case is in complete contrast to 19 year old Jack Payne who signed a new extended deal that will see him stay at Priestfield until 2015.

Both have been tipped to have bright futures in the game and have undoubtedly got talent, but Hessenthaler clearly feels Rooney needs to demonstrate the same type of commitment to the Gillingham cause if he is to be considered for selection not only now, but in the future.