Peter Taylor is clocking up the hours as he looks to rebuild the Gills squad.

Taylor has yet to firm up any deals but is working hard on numerous fronts.

“We are making good progress,” said the Gills boss.

“Of course we haven’t got names at the minute but I have had good meetings with the chairman and lots of meetings with agents and players.

“We can’t mention names at the moment but I am confident we are going to be getting some good players in.”

Port Vale captain Doug Loft is one player being heavily linked with a move to Priestfield.

The Maidstone-born midfielder, who can also play full-back, used to watch the Gills as a youngster before moving into the professional game.

He has been offered a new deal with the Valiants but is weighing up his options.

Fellow Vale midfielder Chris Lines was also rumoured to be of interest to Taylor but the Gills boss said: “I have read that (speculation) myself and if he’s on my radar because when an agent rings you up and you say, ‘well, I don’t mind him,’ that means I probably have 5,000 on the radar!”

Taylor will have another position to fill in attack following Adebayo Akinfenwa’s decision not to sign.

But he departs with the Gills manager’s best wishes.

“He was fantastic for us last season,” said Taylor. “He always gave everything he had and he got 10 goals, many of those important. I haven’t got a bad word to say about him.

“I respect him and understand totally where he is coming from as well. It is not that I think he is greedy or he feels we are being mean, it is a good shake of hands.”