Gillingham striker Cody McDonald hopes his blistering form can continue in August – to earn himself a new deal.

McDonald wished the season had never ended after finishing the 2013/14 campaign in great form, scoring three goals in the last four games, to take his tally for the season to 17.

He has scored 46 goals in 98 games, over three different spells, with the Gills – statistics that rank him alongside some of the club’s best ever strikers.

He said: “I don’t know what it is about the club. Maybe a part of it is because I am at home with my family and I don’t travel that well.

“When I came back on loan last year and I came on against York, I just felt good to be back and it felt right.

“Ever since then I wanted to get a permanent deal done and thankfully we got it done last summer.

“I did struggle at the start of the season. I wasn’t cementing a regular place but thankfully when Peter came in, I played most weeks."

“Who knows, if I start well next season I might even get a longer contract. I will let them sort out the other lads first obviously but I have one more year left.”

McDonald was honoured after the final game of the season to win the players’ player-of-the-year award.

The goals didn’t come as easy during the start of the campaign as they did at the end for McDonald, who had just three goals when Peter Taylor took charge.

He said: “I did struggle at the start of the season. I wasn’t cementing a regular place but thankfully when Peter came in, I played most weeks.

“I scored a few goals and the season has come to an end at the wrong time, although the body might be telling me it is time for a rest.”