Gillingham defender Josh Gowling has made a surprise loan switch to Lincoln City.

Gowling (pictured) has agreed to a one month loan move after boss Andy Hessenthaler described him as being “depressed” at not being involved in the first team.

Hessenthaler had initially ruled Gowling out of the Northampton game this weekend with a “virus”.

Speaking to the club’s website on Thursday night, the Gills boss said: “He doesn’t want to sit on the bench, he wants to go out and play games. I can understand that frustration.

“I knew he was depressed at not being involved in the last few games,

“He asked to have his name circulated and Lincoln said they were interested.”

The loan move leaves Gillingham light in defence as youngster Connor Essam also went out on loan to Bishop’s Stortford.

It leaves Mark Bentley as the only man to fill in if either of Matt Lawrence or Tony Sinclair get injured.

Hessenthaler, however, believes that Simon King could be returning shortly.

“I would say that Simon could be playing a game in two weeks’ time,” said the Gills boss.

“He looks lean and you could put him in our training session now and he wouldn’t look out of place.”

Should the Gills be letting Gowling join League 2 rivals Lincoln? Comment below.