Gillingham’s interim boss Steve Lovell admits it’s going to be tough for Norwich loan striker Tom Dickson-Peters to earn a place in the side.

Dickson-Peters, 19, made the trip to Wigan on Saturday but wasn’t included in the squad - Lovell preferring to name their own young striker Gerald Sithole in the matchday squad. Gillingham lost the match 3-2.

Lovell doesn’t know whether he’ll be needed again next week - he’s working on a caretaker basis while the chairman talks with potential managers - but Dickson-Peters isn’t currently in his plans.

When asked on Saturday about the young striker's omission, Lovell said: “He was (former manager) Steve Evans’ signing, I don’t know much about him, I haven’t seen much of him in training and that is something I have to address.

“We do need bodies around but whether he is going to be good for us I don’t know, I need to see more of him, but with the boys we have got infront of him, I think it is going to be difficult for him to get in unless he starts showing what he is made of.”

Dickson-Peters has been a regular scorer for Norwich City in the Premier League 2 and was hoping to taste life in Football League after agreeing a deal with Gillingham just days before Evans left the club.

He came off the bench to play the second half against Ipswich Town but was an unused substitute in Lovell’s first game in charge, last weekend.

John Akinde is fit again after injury and he came on during the second half against Wigan. The Gills also have Charlie Kelman who has returned on loan from QPR, enjoying a positive impact off the bench at the weekend.

Lovell doesn't know what the future holds but is keen to have the job on a more permanent basis. Any changes to the squad need to be made by the end of this month when the transfer window closes.