Gascgoine has not responded to Gillingham's offer

Gillingham have given up hope of signing former England star Paul Gascoigne.

The Gills were prepared to offer Gascoigne a route back into football and chairman Paul Scally held talks with the player's agent.

But Gascoigne's representatives have failed to respond to Gillingham's offer and the Kent club's boss Andy Hessenthaler believes the deal is now dead.

Hessenthaler said: "His people haven't got back to the chairman so as far as I'm concerned it's no-go.

"It's not really a blow, it was just something we tried to do and unfortunately for us it hasn't happened," he told BBC Radio Kent.

Gascoigne had a short spell at Burnley towards the end of last season, but his lack of fitness persuaded Clarets' boss Stan Ternent not to pursue his interest.

Gascoigne's hopes of reviving his career in America foundered when Washington-based DC United showed him the door because of his lack of fitness.

Since then, Gascoigne has been linked to non-league club Morpeth.

On Saturday, Gillingham moved further away from the relegation zone after beating Sheffield Wednesday.