Gillingham manager Mark Stimson has trimmed his squad ahead of next week’s trip to La Manga.

Stimson negotiated the release of Efe Sodje and Aaron Brown and is now preparing his players for a week’s training camp in Spain early next week.

Twenty-one players will make the trip and Stimson must now decide who stays and who goes from his current squad of 25.

He may also include trialists Drewe Broughton and Moses Swaibu on the plane.

Stimson has been busy making adjustments to his squad, after they returned to full-time training on Tuesday and striker Delroy Facey looks set to follow Brown and Sodje out the door, following talks with other clubs this week.

"With those two guys going it might release a bit of money to attract one or two more," said Stimson.

"You don’t want players who don’t want to play for you or the club. It’s no good for them to be around and they’ve got a settlement which they’re happy with."

Brown joined Lincoln and left Gills with a parting shot after describing Stimson as the "worst manager he had ever played under."

Sodje joined Bury yesterday (Thursday) in a player/coaching role.

Stimson shrugged off Brown’s criticism.

"There’s always two sides to the story," he said. "When I’ve got Championship players ringing me up and asking for advice, then I know I must be doing something right."

Stimson’s main priority now is to whittle his squad down for Tuesday’s trip.

"Some people are making it hard for me as training is going well," he said.

"I’ll give out the names of those going on Saturday and tell whoever’s left the reasons why. They’ll still have a chance, though, and we’ll have the first three pre-season games for them to show me what they can do.

"We’re taking three goalkeepers so there are only 18 places available for outfield players."