However, the midfielder, now 35, has made just 25 starts since leaving the Gills back in the summer of 2005 and despite spending much of last season training with the Gills, only joined a league club in January, playing eight league matches in early 2007 for now-relegated League Two side Torquay United.

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RUMOUR RATING ***
They say never go back, but with the Gillingham squad looking threadbare, it's not beyond the realms of possibility that Ronnie Jepson could add Smith to his squad to boost numbers, particularly if the club is unsuccessful in the transfer market this summer. It wouldn't be the most positive of moves, but Smudger is likely to be keen to continue his playing career and you can see a return happening if we can't get enough bodies in.