Gillingham boss Steve Lovell is working hard on a deal to bring Sean Clare back to Priestfield.

Clare tweeted that he was ‘gutted’ to be leaving Gillingham after a successful half-season loan from the Championship side.

Wednesday have just appointed Dutchman Jos Luhukay as their new permanent manager, replacing Carlos Carvalhal. It remains to be seen what Luhukay’s plans are for 21-year-old Clare.

But the Gills are keen for him to extend his stay at Priestfield, with Lovell making it a priority deal as he looks to strengthen in the January transfer window.

He said: “We have to wait and see what happens there, it is one which we are working on.

“We are trying everything, all parties concerned, to keep him here. That is high up on the agenda of what needs to be done. We are doing everything we can do get it done.

“You can go and sign two or three new players in the window and not really know what you are going to get out of them. We know what we are going to get out of Sean.”

Clare played 26 games for the Gills after signing from Wednesday towards the end of August, becoming an ever-present in the side under Lovell.

Whatever happens, Lovell is prepared for every eventuality.

He said: “I am quite a way down the line with a couple of deals but things change. As it goes on other players you think you won’t have a chance with become available.

“You have to go into the market and do it properly. We want to get it right and it is important we get it right. We won’t rush into things, we will talk to people to make sure when we do sign someone it is done the way we like it.”

Asked if it was essential that the Gills made additions this month, Lovell said: “No, it’s not essential. I don’t think it is.

“If the certain players become available who we want, then fine, but I am not going to go and say if I haven’t got him, ‘who is similar? Shall we get him?’

“They have got to come in here and be better than what we have got and fit into the way we play. It’s a jigsaw.

“I have had my targets. The chairman and I have spoken about targets. We will work and try and get them, but it won’t be the be all and end all if we don’t.

“Perhaps we need a couple because you just never know with injuries and suspensions, that is the only thing.

“We have got ourselves into a decent position. We don’t want to lose that position just because of bad luck down the line, that people get injured and you haven’t got anyone to go in and do a job.”