Chesterfield boss James Rowe comments on reports linking Gavin Gunning with Spireites move

The centre-back, 29, left Rowe’s former club Gloucester City on Monday night after reportedly rejecting a new contract and is now available as a free agent.

When asked about Gunning at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday morning, Rowe said: “I saw that this morning.

“No conversations have happened so far, obviously he was a contracted player to another club.

“If Gavin is open to it then I am always interested in bringing good players into the club.

“But at the moment there has been no contact, he has only just become a free agent, I believe, so there is no update on that at the moment.”

Announcing his departure, Gloucester City said in a statement: “We can confirm that Gavin Gunning has left the club today. Unfortunately injuries led to Gavin missing much of this season to date, we wish him well as he continues his path back to full fitness. Good luck Gav.”

Town agreed not to make an approach for any more contracted Tigers players after Rowe and striker Akwasi Asante moved to the Technique Stadium at the end of November.

Defenders George Carline and Alex Whittle have since joined Rowe and Asante at the Blues, but only after becoming free agents, and it looks highly likely that Gunning will do the same.

Chesterfield chairman, Mike Goodwin, insists that they did not break the terms of the agreement with Gloucester when they signed Carline and Whittle.

The Irish-born defender is currently out injured after undergoing a double hernia operation. He was expected to be sidelined for six weeks from the middle of December so could be back fit by the end of January.

When signing him for Gloucester in the summer, Rowe said: “He brings bags of experience and at a higher level. At just 29 he can bring a lot across multiple positions. He brings leadership, he is a born leader.”

His former clubs also include Dundee United and Forest Green Rovers amongst a number of others. He started his career at Blackburn Rovers but did not make an appearance for the Ewood Park club.