Could Martin Allen be the man to rescue the Gills?

Odds on Allen making a shock return to Priestfield have tumbled of late and rumours are rife that the 52-year-old could be set for a return.

Gillingham are currently second from bottom in League 1, with just one win behind them so far and without a goal in their last three games.

Allen, who led the Gills to the League 2 title in 2013, has a track record of bringing the best out of struggling sides.

The former QPR and West Ham player started his management career at Reading where he helped transform their fortunes.

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He then went onto save Brentford from relegation in 2004, before turning them into a promotion-chasing team.

At MK Dons he turned their ailing fortunes around before a short-lived spell at Leicester City. A stint at Cheltenham came before helping Notts County avoid relegation in 2011.

He saved Barnet from the drop in 2012 before arriving at the Gills and guiding them to their first title since 1964. A disappointing start to life in League 1 the following season led to his sacking. He was replaced by Peter Taylor, who is back in charge on a temporary basis.

Gills chairman Paul Scally said at the time that it was one of the hardest decisions he had made at the club, ending Allen’s reign after 16 months.

A return to Barnet saw him lead them out of the Conference, winning the league, but he would quit the London club for non-league Eastleigh, only to lose his job there after just 14 games in charge.

Mr Scally is looking for a new manager after previous boss Ady Pennock left the club by mutual consent, having won just one in nine at the start of the season.

Director of football Peter Taylor has since been put in charge, leading them to a goalless home draw with Scunthorpe and a 1-0 defeat at Blackburn.

The Gills chairman has talked about a ‘short-term fix’ to the management problem as he chases external investment, people who he has said may have their own ideas on a long-term apointment.

But for now, Mr Scally must find a man to keep the Gills in League 1. With one win in 11 and sitting second from bottom in the table, they are currently in desperate need of someone to halt the slide. At present, League 2 beckons.

Allen’s odds have shortened since the weekend, from 25/1 to as low as 6/1, showing there are plenty out there who think he could be the man.

Shaun Derry (pictured above), who recently played down suggestions he could be Gills' next boss, remains favourite with the bookmakers.