Josh Gowling will be returning to Gillingham when his one month loan spell at League 2 rivals Lincoln ends.

Gowling recently indicated his desire to stay put, after winning a regular place in Steve Tilson’s Imps side, but Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler needs all the bodies he can get at the club.

Last weekend the Gills were forced into playing their youth captain Callum Davies in central defence as injuries left just one senior central defender left for Hessenthaler to pick.

"At this present time we need to keep everyone together and that’s what we’ll do," said Hessenthaler.

"We have helped them (Lincoln) out for a month but we’ll bring him back and pull everyone in together."