Charlton striker Chris Dickson could yet join Gillingham on loan after a proposed permanent move broke down just before the closure of Tuesday's transfer window.

Manager Phil Parkinson confirmed that Gillingham had approached the club wanting to take him on a free transfer while taking over his existing contract.

"I told Chris that I couldn't see me selling that one to our board of directors because in two weeks his value has gone from £50,000, after Gillingham offered money, to nothing," said Parkinson. And he joked: "I told Chris that he hadn't been that bad in training.

"We were prepared to let him join Gillingham for 28 days but Chris wasn't happy with that. I then told him that he could join Gillingham for three months with us having a call-back on him after 28 days.

"He still wasn't happy with that so he's staying. Now he must roll up his sleeves and think about breaking into the squad. We've done everything to help him play some games."

Parkinson added: ""The reason Chris has not been involved is that I want players who want to be at this club.

"He has this desire to play for his national team (Ghana) and he feels that not being in our first team is affecting that.

"Chris now has the opportunity to go out on loan in seven days' time."

Gillingham manager Mark Stimson confirmed that talks with Charlton about Dickson continued right up until the transfer deadline at 5pm on Tuesday.

But he admitted: "The deal trying to be struck between the chairmen just wasn’t right for both clubs."