Cherries defender Adam Barrett is a target for League Two outfit Gillingham, the Daily Echo understands.

Barrett, who is 12 months into a two-year contract with Cherries, is currently one of five central defenders on the books at Goldsands Stadium.

However, the 32-year-old did not feature during Paul Groves’s caretaker stewardship at the end of last season and could see his chances limited under the club’s new permanent manager.

Barrett, who missed Cherries’ final pre-season friendly against Bristol City due to a minor hamstring injury, is facing strong competition for a place from Miles Addison, Stephane Zubar, Steve Cook and Tommy Elphick.

And despite skippering Cherries last season, Barrett looks certain to be relieved of the armband, with Addison, who captained the team at Oxford on Tuesday, expected to replace him.

A mainstay of Cherries’ encouraging first half to last season, Barrett helped them overcome a poor start and skippered them to within touching distance of the play-offs.

However, with Cherries handily placed to mount a challenge for promotion, his season came to a premature end in early January due to a torn hamstring.

Barrett, who joined Cherries 12 months ago from Crystal Palace, could command a small fee should he move on.

Gillingham chairman Paul Scally and director of football Andy Hessenthaler were both among the crowd to watch Cherries’ friendly against Bristol City – a game which Barrett had been due to start before he sustained his injury in the warm-up.

And although the pair were on a scouting mission ahead of Gills’ League Cup clash with the Robins, they are also understood to have headed to Dorset to run the rule over Barrett.

A veteran of more than 500 appearances, a switch to Priestfield would see Barrett move closer to the family home in Basildon and arguably offer him a better chance of first-team football.