Southall re-joins the Gills

Southall appeared in The Gills' 3-1 victory over Bradford City at Valley Parade on Saturday, having recently been on loan to fellow Division One side Norwich City before The Trotters decided to recall him.

He first joined the Kent club in a £40,000 move from Grimsby Town in December 1997 before he left the Priestfield Stadium club on Bosman free in June 2001.

The 30-year-old returns to Gillingham as player-manager Andy Hessenthaler looks to further bolster his squad.

Hessenthaler told the club's official website: "This is great news for us. We know what Nicky can do.

"He has great quality and, playing in midfield, he will be able to give us the extra width which we have been lacking and he can send over good crosses.

"He is also capable of scoring a few goals, as our fans know only too well.

"He can also play at right back if necessary, and with the retirement of Mark Patterson there wasn't a lot of cover for that position.

"Nicky has told me he is really excited about being back with us.

"Although he hasn't been featuring in Bolton's first team, he has been playing regularly, so there's no problem with fitness.

"The other bonus for us is that he knows our set-up so, I'm sure he will slot in fairly quickly."

Gills chairman Paul Scally added that the signing of Southall would not necessarily mean the end of the Division One club's interest in former England man Paul Gascoigne.

First team coach Wayne Jones stated on Friday that Gillingham were interested in bringing the mercurial Geordie to the club.