by Luke Cawdell

Andy Hessenthaler is aiming to extend the loan deals of Peterborough pair Chris Whelpdale and Charlie Lee.

The duo (pictured) have been a hit at Priestfield but their month-long loan deals expire imminently and the Gillingham boss is hoping to make their stay longer.

Hessenthaler said: “We will certainly talk to Barry Fry at Peterborough and see where we go.

“We’ll get this weekend out of the way and then we’ll decide what to do.”

Loan rules mean Peterborough could call the players back after 28 days, which is up after this weekend, although on the current deal the Gills could keep them until after the Macclesfield trip on December 11.

“They can get called back before Macclesfield but I would be disappointed if Peterborough do that,” said the Gills boss.

“I’m hoping they let them stay for another month.”

Fellow on-loan player Callum Kennedy, who joined from Swindon, is expected to head back to the League 1 outfit after this weekend.

“We’ll give that some thought,” said Hessenthaler.

“Callum is injured at the moment and we’re not 100 per cent sure when he will be fit.

“We’ll have to see how it goes over the next couple of days.”