GILLINGHAM have solved their goalkeeping crisis by signing veteran Simon Royce on loan from Queens Park Rangers until the end of the season.

With Romain Larrieu being called back to Plymouth on Wednesday and Kelvin Jack still suffering with a knee injury, Gills' only option for the Port Vale game on Saturday would have been to play 17-year-old Chris Kiely.

But Royce’s arrival has solved the problem, with the 35-year-old bringing plenty of experience from his time at Charlton, Southend and Leicester.

Manager Ronnie Jepson said: "He's an experienced keeper and will be able to fit straight in. It would have been cruel to play Chris Kiely.

"It's okay throwing outfield players in when they are young but goalkeepers are isolated and it can do more harm than good."

* See Friday's Medway Messenger for the full story and a preview ahead of the weekend's match.