Max Ehmer believes Gillingham could finish in the top half this season and wants to stay around to make that happen.

The 22-year-old defender has been a regular starter for the Gills since making the loan switch from Premier League QPR at the end of November.

He is on a deal that expires next week, after Gills’ home game with Sheffield United but he is benefiting from his time at Priestfield.

“I have enjoyed it here,” said the German.

“I would happily stay until the end of the season but it comes down to the coaches, whether they want me or not and the chairman. We will have to wait and see but I would definitely stay until the end of the season.”

Ehmer has been in regular contact with his parent club over the last two months, particularly academy coaches Chris Ramsey and Les Ferdinand.

He said: “Steve Gallen (QPR development coach) has watched a couple of games and they are just keeping a watch on me.

“Playing here puts me in with a good chance of playing there next year. I have to do as best as I can here.”

Ehmer helped the Gills to a 3-2 win over Oldham Athletic last week, a result which took the club up to 16th in League 1.

And he feels that is just the start.

He said: “We’re in 16th and can get higher than that. Top half is definitely achievable. We are six points off the play-offs now and so it shows just how tight it is."