Gillingham are facing a battle to sign midfielder Kevin Maher after League One side Oldham Athletic revealed an interest in him.The former Southend captain has been training with the Gills throughout the summer after spending two months on loan at Priestfield last season.

But he is yet to commit to the club despite being offered a deal and Latics managing director Simon Corney revealed they have made the 31-year-old an offer.

He told the Latics' official website: "We have made Kevin an offer and are now waiting for him to get back to us."

Oldham manager John Sheridan added: "Kevin is a very good player who has won promotion from this division before and played at a higher level, as well as captaining his previous club for a number of years.

"We need leaders on the pitch - people who organise and boss people around. I've got some very good young players but they need help on the pitch and can't just hear my voice all the time."

Maher played for the Gills in their 1-0 friendly loss to Stevenage on Tuesday and earned praise from manager Mark Stimson, who told the club's official website: "Full credit to him, he came here and played in the right way and he would be a big part of our plans if he signed as he is a very good football player.

"If we had stayed in League One I think he would have signed by now, but I'm trying to twist his arm and nail him down to a contract."

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