MARK SAUNDERS is set to cheer team-mates and supporters alike by signing a new contract that will keep him at Gillingham for the next two seasons.

The club's popular midfield enforcer spoke with chairman Paul Scally about a new deal after Saturday's 1-1 draw against Leeds and is set to sign by the end of the week.

Mr Scally told the club's website: "This is fantastic news because Mark has been a model professional since he joined and has played a part in helping the club reach Division 1."

The news puts paid to speculation that the 31-year-old would quit the club when his existing agreement ended in May. All other contracts end at the end of June.

Rotherham manager Ronnie Moore, a big admirer of Saunders, and ex-Gills boss Tony Pulis, now in charge of Stoke and who brought him to Priestfield, were known to be monitoring the situation.

Club captain Paul Smith and centre-back Chris Hope spoke up in support of Saunders saying he was too good to let go while player-manager Andy Hessenthaler repeatedly expressed his determination to keep him at the club.