Chris Dickson has been told that he needs to perform better if he wants a deal for next season.

The Gillingham striker was left on the bench during last week’s win over Huddersfield and is likely to be a substitute again tomorrow (Saturday) when they travel to Stockport.

Dickson moved to the Gills last month after a long pursuit by manager Mark Stimson but he will need convincing before making any long term offer for the on-loan Charlton front-man.

Stimson said: "He’s got to perform to make us want to offer him something and he has to perform better.

"He helped us get a result against Bristol Rovers and scored a decent goal against Leyton Orient but he didn’t play well against Carlisle. Nobody is guaranteed a place in the team and he’s got to produce.

"There is so much competition for places and it’s about how much you want it. It’s up to him to get back in and if he does he needs to play well to stay in. At the moment the two strikers in there are playing well."

Stimson dropped his three-man attacking line-up in favour of a two-pronged strike-force against Huddersfield. Simeon Jackson netted twice on Saturday and Rene Howe has been playing well as the target man alongside him.

Dickson now has a tough job to budge the preferred pair.

"Last week the two strikers were very good in different ways. Both did really well and it’s up to Dicko to get back in," added Stimson.