Simon King in action for the Gills during pre-season

Gillingham defenders Simon King and Garry Richards have both been made available for loan at their own request.

The pair, who were pivotal during the Gills’ last promotion campaign in League 2, have been left on the sidelines this season due to the form of Andy Frampton and Matt Lawrence.

Richards has been left on the bench while a fit-again King has had to watch from the stands.

The names of both players have been circulated to Football League and Blue Square Bet clubs.

Both have just a year remaining on their Gillingham contracts and need regular football to keep them in good shape.

Boss Andy Hessenthaler said: “Garry had been fantastic since I’ve been at this football club and he wants to play games. Simon has been to hell and back over the last couple of years. He just wants to play compeittive games.”

Hessenthaler said this week he is reluctant to let senior players leave but knows they also want to keep active by playing games.

He added: “They are two great lads and they have been very good for this football club. I couldn’t have asked for two better professionals.

“They see what is going on here, at the moment, and they want to be part of it but they know that they need to be playing games as well.”

Hessenthaler made it clear that any player leaving will be doing so under their terms.

“This doesn’t mean it will definitely happen,” he said. “We aren’t going to be silly and it has got to be right for us, as well as the player.”

Do you think it is right for the Gills to consider loaning the defenders out? Comment below.