Gills boss hopeful of signing John Marquis and Max Ehmer for the 2015/16 season
Justin Edinburgh hasn’t ruled out the possibility of bringing John Marquis and Max Ehmer back to MEMS Priestfield Stadium for next season.Marquis scored 10 goals in 21 appearances since signing on loan from Millwall in January, while Ehmer featured 29 times and netted once since arriving from Queens Park Rangers last November.
Their consistent performances have naturally impressed the Gills boss, and he’s keen to conclude deals for the duo if possible.
He said: “We’ve spoken with both representatives, John’s contract expires at the end of the season and over the next couple of weeks we will have a greater idea of the situation but John loved his time here and having spoken to him he wants to come back here and we want him here so we are hopeful something will happen.
“Max is slightly different because he has another year to run on his contract at QPR but I’ve spoken to people there and personally I think something could be done.
“It helps when you’ve had someone in your own environment and show them how you work. He got to know me, I think he loved every minute and that showed in his performances.
“Max has told me that this is where he wants to be playing next season but because they are not our players it’s out of our hands but we are hopeful they will be concluded.
“I’ve spoken to Les Ferdinand at QPR who I’m working on my Pro license with which helps.
“Millwall has been the club that has given him [Marquis] an opportunity but I perhaps feel that he think it’s a realistic one here and he’s had a real good go at it. He’s found some form, he’s taken to the club and feels part of the team.
“Until deals are concluded there are always opportunities of it not being successful.”
One deal that might be concluded sooner rather than later is that of Glenn Morris who has been offered a new one year contract, and Justin says he has a good chance of being the club’s number one next season.
He said: “He’s got a very good chance, Glenn will be pushing for it because of his performances and he’s quite capable.
“It is another year, we have spoken briefly and he knows we want him to stay and it’s just about the financial side which we’ve got to try and conclude.”
Edinburgh has a busy summer ahead of him now but he says he’s excited by the challenge.
He added: “I’m really excited, I think the players that are already here, and credit to them, have taken on board what we expect in terms of standards and the way we want to play.
“It will give me a good opportunity to build good relationship with those players, expectation is something you make yourself but it has to be realistic. You have to try and over achieve and if you do that you’ll be on a good path to success.
“I look forward to bringing in some fresh faces and hopefully we can continue the progression we have made so far.
“We’ve got targets set within and they will remain so but you have to be ambitious and be competitive and we were certainly that when I came here.
“Players come back on the 29th of June; they will be here before you know it. You have an initial lull and recharge your batteries but after a couple of weekends we will be itching for it to return.”