GILLINGHAM'S Andy Hessenthaler has joined League 1 side Hull City on a three-month loan.

He will team up with old boss Peter Taylor and former team-mates Steve Butler, Junior Lewis and Roland Edge to help the Tigers in their bid to gain promotion to the Championship.

The 39-year-old midfielder could still have an influence on Gillingham's bid to beat the drop, though, as his loan spell is due to an end on May 3 – five days before the end of the season.

That would mean he could play some part if Gillingham need a result against Nottingham Forest on the final day of the season to stay up, just as they did at Stoke last campaign.

And Hessenthaler – who was voted Gillingham's best ever player this month by BBC Radio Kent listeners – will continue to train with the Gills in the early part of every week before travelling up to Hull.

Chairman Paul Scally told the Gillingham FC website: "It's an opportunity for Andy and one that he wants to explore – and we fully support his decision. He will still be training here and is still very much behind us."

Hessenthaler will be missed as Gillingham head into a crucial February period as they battle for survival.

After having this weekend off, Gills face Watford, Millwall, Wolves, West Ham and Wigan in a month that could prove vital to the club's hopes.

KM-fm sports editor Simon Watts has been speaking to Hessenthaler's agent Andrew Mills about the deal...