Sunday 20 November 2011 16:37, UK
Andy Hessenthaler has revealed Luke Rooney was omitted from Gillingham's squad after the midfielder rejected a new contract.
Rooney was not included in the 16-man squad at Aldershot on Saturday which emerged with a 2-1 win after turning down a "very good offer", according to Hessenthaler. And while the Gills boss appears to be resigned to losing the youngster in the summer, he insists he will continue to leave Rooney out of his side while the contract wrangle continues. "We've offered a new deal and come to loggerheads," Hessenthaler told BBC Radio Kent. "We'd love him to sign but we don't think he's going to sign the improved offer. There's nobody bigger than the football club. "I only want players who are committed to getting us out of this division so, at the moment, he won't be in the squad. "Although we made Luke a very good offer, they're adamant they're not going to sign it. Whatever happens, if he leaves in the summer there's compensation because he's under the age of 24."
