Several clubs are monitoring Simeon Jackson's progress

by Luke Cawdell

Gillingham manager Mark Stimson believes striker Simeon Jackson is ready to step up in class.

Everton became the latest club this week to be linked with the 22-year-old, who has already struck eight goals this season.

Jackson netted 21 times last season help the Gills to promotion and several clubs are now monitoring the Canadian international’s progress.

Stimson has a track record of developing raw talent, after helping the likes of Michael Kightly and Freddy Eastwood progress from non-league, and Jackson looks set to follow them in the near future.

The link to Everton came via the national press and Stimson isn’t concerned by the speculation.

"Wow, is what I would say," said Stimson. "They are a big club.

"It won’t do him any harm to be linked and it will be a massive confidence boost.

"The most important thing is that the player keeps playing the way he is because he is on form.

"He’s getting chances and taking more than he’s missing. He’s up among the pace setters early on and I’m sure his aim is to stay there.

"If he can get 20 goals before Christmas then at any level that is a phenomenal achievement.

"We’ll have a laugh and a joke about it and I wouldn’t be surprised if someone turned up to training in a Scouse wig asking where Liverpool was!

"We have to take it as speculation and he knows that if there is anything, then he would be the first to be told.

"If he progresses the way he is doing, then by January I would be surprised if two or three clubs had not come in for him.

"Personally, I believe he is now ready for the next challenge whether that be going into the Championship or a squad higher up.

"I hope it doesn’t happen because that will mess up my plans."