GILLINGHAM boss Andy Hessenthaler has given the clearest indication yet that he is ready to quit playing this season to concentrate on management.

Speaking after Gillingham’s 2-0 success on Saturday against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough, the Gills boss, who will be 38 in June, said: “I'm enjoying playing so much which is important.

“But I will think about retiring over the next few months and maybe at the end of the season I'll hang up my boots.”

He admitted: “It's tough playing and managing but we're doing okay and we'll stay in this division. Once we reach 50 points we'll go on from there.”

Stung by criticism following seven matches without a win before the win at Bradford, Hessenthaler could not resist taking a swipe at his detractors following two successive wins.

He said: “We went through a lean spell up until the Bradford game and some people started getting on our backs. Now those people will be wanting to pat us on the back after two wins.

“But I'm not getting carried away and I’m not saying we've turned the corner because we need a settled side. What is important to me is that we remain focused."