Gillingham striker Deon Burton is out of contract in the summer but no new deal is on the table
by Luke Cawdell
Gills boss Martin Allen admits he
is unlikely to be handing out new contracts until the summer – and
that includes striker Deon Burton.
Allen
has been delighted by Burton’s impact this season but he wants
promotion secured before he starts thinking about next season.
Burton (pictured) is one of
only a few senior players to be out of contract in the summer.
"There have been no discussions and
there won’t be," insisted Allen.
"All contract negotiations with the
first team squad will wait until the summer when we will know what
division we are going to be in.
"Obviously, budgets change, targets
change and we want to give everyone here the best possible chance
and Deon will fit right into that bracket. He has done well and we
are delighted with him."
Burton’s winner from the penalty
spot against Dagenham took his goal tally to 11 for the season and
Allen has also been impressed with the 36-year-old’s all-round
attitude.
"He has been a fantastic
professional around the place," said the Gills boss, who previously
played alongside Burton at Portsmouth and also managed him at
Brentford.
"Deon can definitely play another
year and we will have to decide, probably in the summer, what he
wants to do and what we want to do. We both have to work out our
options."
Gills, meanwhile, have to come to
an agreement with Joe Martin over his future. He was offered a new
contract earlier this season but in December chairman Paul Scally
revealed they were still "a long way apart" in discussions.
Allen said: "I am sure we can sort
something out so that he is going to be happy. He is enjoying his
football and is getting better. He is the type of professional
we want at this club."
More Gills in this week's
Medway Messenger, including : "Loan signings made as Robinson
could depart"
21/02/13
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