Gillingham will offer defender Josh Gowling the opportunity of an extended stay after impressing during his loan spell.

Gowling, 24, joined last month from Carlisle on a five-week loan deal.

Manager Mark Stimson said: “I had a brief chat with his agent on Monday to see if we can extend it and he is going to speak to Carlisle to see what information comes back.

“He is enjoying himself and playing football, hopefully we can do something.”

Gowling (pictured) originally came in to challenge Garry Richards for the shirt in central defence to play alongside Simon King. An injury to King though has meant both players have played together and Stimson has seen a major improvement in Richards.

Stimson said: “Since I brought Josh Gowling into the club Garry Richards has had the attitude that, ‘he isn’t playing, it’s my position and he isn’t having it off me’ and that’s what it takes sometimes.

“I thought in the first three or four pre-season games Garry was off his game but since Josh has come in the building he has been immense.”