Payne made his Gillingham debut as a 16-year-old in 2008

Gillingham midfielder Jack Payne says that he has no plans to leave Priestfield in the near future.

Gills manager Andy Hessenthaler last week denied rumours linking the 18-year-old with a move to Reading.

Payne told BBC Radio Kent: "It's nice, but it's just from the papers and you don't know what's real and what's not.

"The gaffer has told me to keep my head down and keep working hard. It's got nothing to do with me what happens off the pitch."

Payne, a product of the youth set-up at Priestfield, made his first-team debut for Gillingham as a 16-year-old in October 2008.

He has become a regular in Hessenthaler's side this season, making 13 appearances, and says he is keen to repay the faith that the Gills have shown in him.

"I've been here since I was 10, so I've played all my football here really," said Payne.

"I've grown up here, I live 15 minutes from the ground. It's my club and I owe them a bit to be fair.

"If something comes up then we'll have to have a sit down but at the moment I'm just concentrating on playing for Gillingham."

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