Gillingham’s young keeper Daren Hawkes has joined Ramsgate on loan for a month.

He has become third choice at Gillingham following the summer arrival of Argentinian keeper Paulo Gazzaniga.

Hawkes (pictured) is highly rated but Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler is keen for his young players to get football elsewhere due to the lack of a reserve team this season.

The 18-year-old signed professional terms for Gillingham in the summer after completing his scholarship at the club.

Last season he was loaned to Ebbsfleet where he helped them to promotion from the Blue Square Bet South.

He will be in the Ramsgate squad for their opening Ryman League game of the season at home to Crawley Down on Saturday.