MARCUS BROWNING broke his silence today regarding his Gillingham future and stressed that he wanted to stay at Priestfield. Browning, who, like fellow midfielder Mark Saunders, has remained at the club despite being out of contract, was involved in the first half of Saturday's 5-0 win over Maidstone in a pre-season friendly at Sittingbourne.

Though the 31-year-old former Wales international has still to be offered a new deal, he has not been told to go. Today, he said: "I'm just going to keep training in the hope that a new contract will be offered. If that were the case, I would like to take it, sign it and get on with my football."

On a personal note, Browning, a neighbour of defender Chris Hope's at Bobbing near Sittingbourne, spoke of the need to settle his children down at new schools.

He said: "We've got the kids into schools that we wanted to get them into so it would be a nightmare now to uproot and try and get them into schools in another area."

Both Browning and Saunders should have a clearer idea regarding their futures when chairman Paul Scally returns from holiday at the end of the week. Saunders has been offered a new deal but has been unable to sign it because of what has been described as a "hitch".

Gillingham continue their pre-season preparation tonight at Surrey side Whyteleafe (7.45pm). Hessenthaler is expected to field a predominantly young side. Tomorrow, Gillingham visit Ryman League Windsor and Eton (7.45pm) and on Wednesday play their fourth friendly in five days at Dover, now of the Dr Martens League, Premier Division. Kick off at Crabble is at 7.45pm.