Gillingham forward Simeon Jackson gets away from his marker against Plymouth Picture: Peter Still

by Luke Cawdell

Gillingham boss Mark Stimson admits that keeping hold of striker Simeon Jackson could prove difficult.

Up to nine scouts were watching Jackson on Tuesday night in the win over Plymouth and Stimson knows the player’s form is alerting some of the top teams.

Jackson followed up his hat-trick on Saturday with another goal and another dazzling display as the Gills beat Plymouth in the Carling Cup.

“The kid is on form,” said Stimson. “If you had seen him in training on Monday he was hot, it was like ‘what’s going on here’. Out on the pitch I thought his overall game (against Plymouth) was one of the best performances I’ve seen from him.

“There were some big scouts there unfortunately, some big boys and no disrespect to the Plymouth team and our other players but they were only there to watch one person. Unfortunately if I was a scout working for the teams that were there he would be ticking all the right boxes.”

Hear Mark Stimson's thoughts on Jackson's recent form.

Among the scouts were representatives from QPR, Derby, Sheffield United, Reading, Tottenham and Cardiff.

Stimson said: “There were certain scouts and names I know are quite high up and if they are at a game they are watching with a view of seriously looking at someone.”

Stimson rates Jackson as a million pound-plus player but knows that these teams have the finances to prize his star asset away.

“The money wouldn’t be a problem to them,” he said. “Touchwood they may think, well let him stay there for three months, until Christmas, January and just monitor him and see what happens.

“If someone actually comes up with a bid of some sorts then it could become a little bit sticky, but he is happy and he is playing with freedom, a smile on his face and is scoring goals. We just have to try and maintain that.

“We desperately don’t want to sell him because he is a major part of what we’ve got. I don’t think Manchester United wanted to sell their main man but unfortunately money talks.”