Gillingham manager Peter Taylor is hoping to have completed a new deal for Craig Fagan by the end of Tuesday.

The forward’s initial short-term contract has now ended but Taylor is keen to keep the former Hull striker at the club until the end of the season.

“I am hopeful that he is going to tie it all up today (Tuesday),” said Taylor. “I think that will be the case.”

Fagan was without a club this season before Taylor snapped him up, having impressed on a brief trial.

The 31-year-old has been held back by injury and hasn’t been playing in his preferred position.

“I can understand that there are probably people out there who say, ‘hang on, he is not the player he was’. He has actually been helping us out, playing out of position.

“With the injury to Whelpdale and the injury to Myles Weston, we have had no wide players. Little old me then goes and asks Craig to do me a favour. A lot of people who are on a short-term or a trial might not have done that but he doesn’t hesitate, he just gets on and does the job.

“Saturday was the first time he started for the club and we haven’t won the match. He has been very good and very realistic.”

Fagan once commanded fees of £750,000 and played Premier League football but Taylor admits there is little left in the pot for the player this time around.

“There is not a massive contract here or anything like that,” said Taylor.

“I have come in (as manager) after the budget has been spent and I am trying to wheel and deal. There is not a massive contract there for Craig but there is a contract.

“He has really enjoyed it here and I am hopeful. I am sure by this afternoon we will have cleared that up.”