GILLINGHAM have lost out to League 1 rivals Crewe in their pursuit of Charlton striker Chris Dickson.

Addicks manager Alan Pardew confirmed that he expected the 22-year-old to move to Gresty Road on a month's loan.

Pardew said: "It will be a good education for him to go and work under Dario Gradi at Crewe. I wanted him to go to Gillingham but then players have their own views about where they want to go on loan.

"I wouldn't push a player to a club where he didn't want to go. I gave him the option, because there were four clubs that wanted him on loan, and he chose Crewe.

"I hope he'll go there and be a big success because I want him to score lots of goals."

Dickson, who made his Charlton first team debut as a substitute in the 2-0 Carling Cup win at Swindon, joined the Addicks from Ryman League Division 1 South club Dulwich Hamlet where he scored 31 goals in 35 games.

After Charlton paid Dulwich an initial £35,000 for him last season, he was quickly off the mark with seven goals in six reserve games.

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