Gillingham will need to get the better of one of their former scholars on Saturday.

Goalkeeper Joe Walsh has today (Tuesday) extended his loan stay with Accrington Stanley - having first joined the League 2 side on an emergency basis in early December.

Gillingham head to Accrington for a league match this Saturday.

Walsh came through the youth ranks at the Gills and signed a three year professional deal with the club in the summer of 2019, making his one and only league appearance as a substitute for Jack Bonham in October 2020, in a League 1 match at Ipswich Town.

The goalkeeper played another seven games for the Gills in cup competitions, six of those in the EFL Trophy, but left to join QPR in January 2021, then aged 18, joining them for an undisclosed fee on a contract that runs until this summer.

He had been a target for several Championship sides as well as a club in the Scottish Premiership.

Walsh is a former England junior international and played once for QPR earlier this season, making his first senior appearance as a half-time substitute in their League Cup game against Norwich City.

Accrington’s regular keeper Toby Savin and Norwich loan keeper Jon McCracken both picked up injuries, allowing the League 2 side to make an emergency loan move for a goalkeeper.

His latest extension is subject to the usual EFL and FA ratification and allows him to play at the club for another seven days.