Gillingham knocked back a transfer-window bid for their Cumbrian midfield star Kyle Dempsey.

The former Carlisle United man has attracted interest after his impressive start to life with the League One club.

But manager Steve Evans said he was pleased the club rejected attempts to lure the 25-year-old away before the transfer deadline.

"We had a real good offer made for Kyle Dempsey but the chairman turned it down after we both spoke to the player," Evans said to Kent Online.

"We said he is still working and developing his game and being educated here. The kid feels he has improved no end since he has joined us.”

Dempsey, from Maryport, has proved a key player for Gillingham since his summer move.

Some reports had linked Championship clubs such as Barnsley and Nottingham Forest with interest in the midfielder.

The former Huddersfield and Fleetwood player has made 23 appearances and scored five goals for Evans's 13th-placed side.

West Cumbrian Dempsey started out with Carlisle and made 51 appearances for the Blues, starring in the 2014/15 League Two campaign before joining Huddersfield in summer 2015.