Ian Gayle’s loan may have come to an end but James Gray hasn’t ruled out a future reunion.

The Dagenham and Redbridge loanee played his last game for St Albans City on Saturday, a 1-1 draw with Basingstoke Town, bringing an end to a three-month stay at Clarence Park.

Gray and Graham Golds missed out on extending Gayle’s loan until the end of the season but they have not given up hope of bringing him back in the future.

“I told him, ‘Don’t think this the last you’ve seen of me.’ I’ll be on the phone to him everyday, especially if he doesn’t play. I don’t know what Dagenham’s plans are but I’m going to do my damndest to keep him,” he said. “Dagenham may give him a chance but I’m going to do everything I possibly can, and I have been, to persuade him to sign for us.”

He added: “Gayle’s got all the attributes to play professional football: his strong in the air, quick and his distribution isn’t far off. He’s been a real credit and a great lad to work with.

“I’d like to thank him for everything he’s done.”

Gayle made 16 appearances during his three-month spell at St Albans City.