Luke Rooney celebrates scoring on his league debut Picture: Barry Goodwin

by Luke Cawdell

Contract negotiations with young prospect Luke Rooney have been put on hold until the new year.

The club and the player’s representatives have failed to agree on a long-term contract but manager Mark Stimson isn’t worried.

Rooney’s current deal runs out in the summer, but the club will be taking up the option of another year, tying him to the Gills until the end of next season.

"At the moment his contract has been pulled back and we’ve stopped negotiations," said Stimson.

"Luke is going to get on with his football and concentrate like he always does. We will probably readdress that in the new year.

"We don’t need to panic because the boy is under contract with us this season and next.

"We have an option on him and we’ll obviously take it. He can’t go anywhere."

Rooney, 18, was offered a new deal which ran until the summer of 2013 but the terms of the contract couldn’t be agreed.

The youngster was promoted from the youth team at the start of this season and he made an immediate impact.

He followed up a good pre-season with a goal in his league debut against Exeter. He also netted in the defeat against Southampton and looks to have a bright future.

"He’s got a little bit and he’s got to fulfil that potential now," said Stimson.

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