Teenage defender Ryan Inniss has joined the Gills on a youth loan from Premier League Crystal Palace.

Gillingham boss Peter Taylor has been looking for a central defender to help bolster his squad since the loss of West Brom defender Donervon Daniels.

Taylor believes 18-year-old Inniss has the attributes in defence that have been missing.

The Gills manager said: "He’s a very good centre half and probably a future captain wherever he is.

“He’s a leader and he’s a really good talker. He’s about 6’4 and very good in the air.

“I wanted his type in the building because he’s a good talker, he’s a good organiser and I’ve spoken to the other three central defenders to say that he has come here to fight for a place.

“He is not guaranteed a place, it is up to any one of those four to get two places and show me which two should play.

“I’m sure Ryan will do very well. He’s an old fashioned centre half but I think he will be very good news for us."

Inniss started this season on loan at Cheltenham, where he played four times. He has just ended a spell at Blue Square Premier Luton Town to allow him to step up and challenge for a place at Gillingham.

"I think Luton were fighting desperately hard to keep him but he wants some experience in League One so it’s very good news for us and its filled another slot I was desperate to fill," Taylor added.

Inniss has represented England at under-16 and under-17 level and captained Crystal Palace's youth team last season. He has yet to make a senior appearance for the Eagles.