Maher impressed Gills fans during his seven games on loan last term

Gillingham manager Mark Stimson has admitted he was disappointed to lose out in the race to sign midfielder Kevin Maher.

Maher had been a long-term target but the 31-year-old rejected a two-year deal with the Gills to sign a year's contract with League One side Oldham.

Stimson said: "I'm very disappointed. I've always said he's a class act.

"He was the one I hoped to sign to open that door with a little bit of clever play. But we've got to get on with it."

Stimson added to BBC Radio Kent: "He's decided to stay in the level he thinks he can play and I've just said to him 'good luck', he deserves to be in that level."

Having spent 10 years at Southend, Maher played seven times for Gillingham during a loan spell last season and has been training with the Medway side in pre-season.

He's someone who's left footed, gives a bit of balance in the middle and has an eye for a pass Mark Stimson on Michael Burns

"He has great pedigree, he's been at Liverpool for six years and moved across to Bolton last year," said Stimson.

"He's come in and he might come in for a few more days before we make the decision of maybe taking him on loan.

"He's someone who's left footed, gives a bit of balance in the middle and has an eye for a pass, so we're always looking."