Gills boss Peter Taylor admitted he felt sorry for “first-class” keeper Glenn Morris.

Taylor dropped Morris in favour of newly-signed loan goalie Stephen Bywater on Saturday.

The experienced Bywater was signed on Friday from Millwall, on a deal that runs until January 3.

His arrival comes in the wake of an injury to first-choice keeper Stuart Nelson, who could be out for three months with ligament damage to his hand.

Morris replaced player-of-the-year Nelson in the midweek League Cup victory against Yeovil with an impressive display but Taylor was keen to strengthen.

“He’s experienced, he’s desperate to play football and he’s been good,” said Taylor of Bywater, who started the season on the bench for Millwall.

“It’s hard on Glenn Morris but I had to get another goalkeeper in. I am going to try and get the best possible goalkeeper in that I can.

“There were a few names on my list. Some were good but inexperienced. There were two experienced ones and Stephen was one of them. I knew that had I got one of those then they would have started, simple as that.

“Glenn was desperate to come and show us what he’s got and he will do. He has done nothing wrong.

“He is first class and I am so pleased we’ve signed him. On the strength of what he has done on Tuesday night and the second half against MK Dons, he will be fine.”