Gillingham’s former striker Tom Eaves is a free agent and there is speculation that he could make a return to Priestfield

Speculation is growing that Gillingham could be considering a move for former striker Tom Eaves.

Eaves, 34, was spotted in the stands during Gills’ 3-0 win over Bristol Rovers, sitting alongside head of recruitment Andy Hessenthaler.

The sight of the experienced striker at the club has inevitably fuelled talk among supporters that a return could be on the cards.

Gillingham are relatively light on senior options in attack, with Will Goodwin, Ronan Hale and Lamin Sillah currently the club’s three senior forwards.

Recent injury concerns over Hale and Goodwin, together with loan striker Sillah’s inexperience, have highlighted the lack of cover in that area.

Eaves is a free agent and is understood to be open to offers after leaving Northampton Town at the end of last season following their relegation from League 1.

A return to Priestfield would certainly be a nostalgic one for the striker, who enjoyed the most prolific spell of his career during his previous stint with the Gills.

Eaves arrived at Gillingham in 2017 with his goalscoring record at previous clubs offering little indication of what was to come.

The likeable Scouser quickly became a fans’ favourite, scoring 18 goals in his first season in League 1, including memorable hat-tricks against Southend United and Plymouth Argyle.

He went even better the following campaign, finding the net 22 times.

In total, Eaves scored 38 league goals in 69 starts for the Gills, inevitably attracting attention from elsewhere.

Hull City won the race for his signature in 2019 and Eaves spent the next three years there, playing Championship and League One football, before moving on to Rotherham for another stint in the second tier.

He spent two seasons with the Millers before joining