By Jack Nolan
May 19 2007

Gillingham could well be close to completing the signings of goalkeeper Simon Royce - who has stated his interest in a move back to Kent, and striker Jo Kuffour who's agent revealed how his client would like to stay in the London area. Kuffour who seems certain to leave Brentford following relegation to League 2, wants a move to the Championship, but could move to Gills for first team football.

Royce, 35, spent the end of last season with Gillingham and impressed during his short spell at the club. Royce is a free agent now having been released by QPR manager John Gregory and revealed a move to Gillingham does interest him. Speaking to the KentMessenger, Royce said:  "I'd drop a division to get regular first-team football and it would be nice as it's only an hour down the road." Royce appeared for QPR 20 times last season and has played for Luton Town, Brighton, Leicester City, Southend and Charlton.

 Meanwhile, Brentford's Jo Kuffour could well be on his way to Priestfield. Kuffour who would most probably be guaranteed first team football at Priestfield, has recently snubbed a move to Huddersfield Town as he wants to stay around the London area. Speaking to the clubs official site, the Terriers manager said: 'I did make an inquiry for Jo Kuffour but, unfortunately at the moment, it doesn't look like he wants to come.

'His agent tells me he wants to go to the Championship and, if he can't get fixed up at that level, he wants to stay around the London area, so I'm a little bit disappointed about that. But this is what you have to put up with when you are talking to people.'

'He fits the bill in terms of power and pace and, while the board have helped me as much as they can, the finances aren't massive so I'm looking at players who can maybe do two jobs. Jo can play wide or up front and he would give us some extra pace.'

Kuffour, who is a free agent having only penned a one-year deal at Griffin Park, is all but departing The Bee's since their relegation to League 2.  Kuffour netted 14 goals for The Bee's last season, with one of the 25-year-old's goals scored against Gillingham with a clever lob.

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