DANNY Spiller might be just hours away from being another in the growing line of ex-Gills staffers returning to Priestfield Stadium.

Manager Andy Hessenthaler, first-team coach Nicky Southall, youth coach Darren Hare, consultant physio and now Spiller have decided Priestfield is the place to be.

And while he hadn't actually signed when we went to Press, the 28-year-old was thought to be on the verge of agreeing.

He played against Peterborough in Tuesday's pre-season friendly and was due for talks within the ensuing 48 hours.

"I would like to think we will keep him," said Hessy. "He's a lad who's really hungry. He's had a tough couple of years, but he hasn't done a lot wrong in the few weeks since we've returned.

"He's fit - really fit - and I think it's time to make a decision about him. I don't think money will be an issue; he feels he has something to prove. He wants to show he still has an appetite and as a manager I can't lose if players are like that."

Spiller himself said if it was about money there probably wouldn't be a problem. He just wanted the chance to return to Gillingham and play under Hessenthaler again.

"I feel if anyone can bring the best out of me again it will be Hessy," Spiller admitted. "I modelled my career on the way he played. I used to watch the way he got around the pitch and the quality of his delivery."

Spiller was everybody's player of the year at Gills in 2004. The following season - he remembers it being against Nottingham Forest - his leg didn't feel right. He played an hour in the next one against Cardiff and soon after discovered he had been playing with a stress fracture.

By the time he returned to action Stan Ternent and Ronnie Jepson were in charge. He felt his face didn't fit and was told it was only a matter of time before he went.

Having said that, he got back in the team and Jepson made him a contract offer just before he signed for Millwall.

"I played the first eight games of the season for Millwall and was flying," he said. "But then came an injury nightmare.

"I was misdiagnosed with a hernia and groin problem and despite operations they didn't pick up what was a hip impingement. I was back within 12 weeks of them finding out and treating it, but that was 18 months into a two-year contract.

"I've had three wasted years, but I like to put a positive spin on it and feel I will have a longer career because I haven't played as much as I should. Now I feel stronger than when I was a boy; fitter than I've ever been. And I want be at Gillingham.

"I have options in the MLS with Chicago, but would willingly forego that to play for Hessy again. England is the best country to play football in so everything else can be put on hold.

"Looking at Gills now I sense there is a good mix of ability and experience and youth. And there will be plenty of strength waiting in the wings.

"Right now I can't wait to pull on the shirt again."

HESSY will be offering goalkeeper Lance Cronin a contract in the next day or two and while he is still interested in ex-Spurs, Wimbledon and Southampton defender Chris Perry, he feels it's going to be about money.

Mind you, he hasn't written off the chances of landing the experienced 37-year-old, any more than he has written off Stanley Aborah's chances of making an impression.

The former Ajax midfielder is still on trial and "has a massive amount of ability," according to the manager.

"I've told his agent that Stanley at times is too good for this level, but he is different to what we have and could be the person to unlock a stubborn defence," said Hessy.

"The chairman has said if we can get him in we should try to make it happen."