Steve Lovell is keen to keep Gillingham’s squad together in the January transfer window - and hopefully add to it.

Former boss Steve Evans revealed last week the Gills had rejected bids for Kyle Dempsey, Jack Tucker and Vadaine Oliver, while keeper Jamie Cumming was recalled by Chelsea yesterday.

Reports this week have linked Dempsey with a move to League 1 rivals Bolton and Lovell knows there are no guarantees his prized assets will stay.

He knows the situation and although he is in caretaker charge, he’d like to strengthen if possible.

Lovell is set to discuss the situation with chairman Paul Scally after this weekend’s home game against Burton.

“We’d like to get a couple in,” said Lovell, speaking before Cumming's departure.

“There’s still a few weeks left of the transfer window.

“I don’t want to lose any players but you never know what’s going to happen in the window.

“We’ve got to be mindful of that.

“I would like to keep everybody with us who’s there at the moment because obviously the numbers aren’t that great but there’s a chance we can bring another couple in.

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“Hopefully, if we can do that and look at the areas that perhaps need strengthening, that would make it a lot stronger squad moving forward.”

Gillingham have turned to the kids at times this season during their injury crisis.

Lovell has nothing but praise for the club’s youngsters but knows experience will be vital if they are to get out of trouble.

“They’ve been really good, the young boys,” he said.

“I haven’t got a problem with youngsters.

“It’s not how old they are, it’s how good they are but we’re in a position where it’s a dogfight down there.

“It’s going to be more players who have played at this level and understand this level that’s most probably going to get us out of it.

“You can get by with one or two youngsters in the squad and they can come on and do a job but the important thing is keeping all the experienced players that we’ve got fit and available because we’re going to need all them in the remaining months of the season.”