The door is open for Ben Williamson to return to the Gills if he can continue his good form over Christmas.

The 26-year-old was shipped out on loan to League 2 Cambridge United after a difficult start at Priestfield.

He was signed in the summer after four years at Port Vale but made just four league starts with the Gills, making most of his 14 appearances from the bench and failing to find the net.

But life with Cambridge has been different.

He has found the net in his last three appearances for Shaun Derry’s team and that form hasn’t gone unnoticed by the management at Priestfield.

Boss Justin Edinburgh said: “I brought Ben to this football club because I felt he was capable of stretching teams and last year he proved he can score goals at this level. The reports back (from Cambridge) have been very good. I am pleased for Ben and I am pleased for us.

”He was one of the first signings I made in the summer and I think the move has worked well for all parties, Cambridge, ourselves and Ben.

“It runs until January 2 and then we will make a decision. Right now he will probably be back here to give us another food for thought and competition for places in a squad that needs to be at its best.”

Williamson, with three goals in four appearances, will get an opportunity to play another four games over Christmas before the loan deal ends.

His latest goal came on Saturday as United beat Plymouth 2-1, the club’s third league win on the spin.