Long-term Gillingham target Chris Dickson has joined League 1 rivals Bristol Rovers on loan.

Charlton striker Dickson, who had a loan spell at Gillingham two seasons ago, has been Gills boss Mark Stimson's number one summer transfer target.

But Charlton rejected Gillingham’s advances before the transfer deadline and the clubs have failed to agree a loan deal since. The League 1 leaders have been insisting that a 28-day call-back be part of any deal.

Speaking before Dickson moved to Rovers, Gillingham chairman Paul Scally said: "Charlton are playing games and it has got boring now.

"We agreed a deal and then they changed it. We agreed a deal with a call-back but still they wouldn’t let him come.

"I feel sorry for Dicko because he’s clearly not going to be a Charlton player after the end of this season. It’s terrible and a disgrace what they are doing to the player but we can’t force them to transfer the registration.

"They are worried about him coming to us and doing well and it scares them and it’s a sign of weakness."

Charlton boss Phil Parkinson has also indicated that Dickson could tie up a permanent move to Bristol Rovers.

"Chris has gone on loan for three months with a call-back clause after 28 days in case we get an injury," said Parkinson.

"Gillingham hadn't called since transfer deadline day but Bristol Rovers and another League 1 club got in touch with us, and Rovers appealed to Chris.

"Chris hasn't been in our squad and he needs to play. He wanted to get out of London and go down to Bristol. If he does do well there, Rovers have the money from the Rickie Lambert sale so they could offer us a fee if it comes to that."

Dickson could come up against the Gills during his loan spell as Stimson's men are due to visit Bristol Rovers in League 1 on November 21.