Lewis Walker’s season is over and another Gillingham striker faces weeks out of action after injury - prompting a deadline move for Tristan Abrahams.

Gills manager Neil Harris explained the surprise loan signing of Abrahams, 24, and gave an insight into the hectic last few hours of Tuesday night’s transfer deadline.

With both Walker (knee) and fellow striker Scott Kashket (groin) injured, Harris knew he needed another forward but with money tight - financial fair play meant even newly-rich Gills couldn’t go mad - and time running out, they turned to a striker that Harris had been looking at signing in the summer.

Abrahams was just about to go and warm-up for Eastleigh as they were facing Barnet in the National League that night.

Harris said: “We were going to be light upfront - two lads who might have helped us this season (got injured) - so it was important we added at the top end of the pitch.

“We thought Tristan wouldn’t be an option but it materialsed quickly and just before he was about to take the pitch for Eastleigh. He had to dash up here about 9.15pm to start his medical.

“It was left-field, a random one how it came about, but we are really pleased we did it.

“I had spoken to Tristan in the summer, quite early on and I had watched a couple of his games. For whatever reason it didn’t materialise in the summer, that was fine.

“When it was brought up on deadline day, really randomly about being available on loan, because we got to a stage where we wouldn’t pay fees for people for various reasons, financial fair play being one, but also (the owners) Brad and Shannon Galinson have invested a lot in the last four weeks.

“We had loans available. We went down that route and it was sensible business.

“Tristan has a huge amount of experience at the level and above and for a 24-year-old to have made over 200 appearances in professional football and 110 starts - 30-odd goal - it is a good return.

“He is something inbetween what I have got and had the potential to get better as well, initially it is a loan and we will assess as we go along.”

The Gills, meanwhile, managed to agree a loan deal for Aiden O’Brien from Shrewsbury.

Harris said: “He is someone I know particularly well, he has been very impressive in the past, someone who lives very close to here in Kent. He wanted to come home with the family, he hasn’t played a lot of football of late at Shrewsbury and needed a fresh start.

“We have to be patient with Aiden, he is behind on match minutes from the players we have signed already and where they are at. Aiden was important to us because he gives us versatility and protection if we lose any of the front players.

“He is an attacking player who runs forward and has an eye for goal and sniffs out chances, creates them and scores. He has to be the potential to be very good at the level.”

Walker had only just returned to the Gills fold following a knee injury picked up in an FA Cup game against Dagenham but is out again - this time for the season.

“It’s similar to the last one,” said the manager.

“I have talked highly of Lewis in weeks gone by and we lose him just after getting back fit, it is a shame for him as he was developing nicely for us, just starting to show his qualities, it’s a real blow.”

Kashket will be having a scan on his groin injury - which was also picked up in training. Harris doesn’t expect to be able to name him in the squad for the next few weeks, at least.

Harris said: “Both are non-contact, really unfortunate for both and unfortunate for us.”

The Gills already have Ben Reeves out for the season while Olly Lee is unavailable for medical reasons and Harris has said Jordan Green won’t play for the them again. Bailey Akehurst, Josh Chambers, Jayden Clarke and Ethan Coleman are seen as players for the future although all of them could play a part this term still.

The January window closed with the Gills making 10 signings, including the two on the final day. They were also in for Peterborough left-back Joe Tomlinson but he went to Swindon Town instead.

It was a good month for the club.

Harris said: “I am pleased with the business we have done and huge credit goes to Kenny Jackett (director of football) and Andy Hessenthaler (head of recruitment).

"(Former owner) Paul Scally also has to take credit for his help, he has been a big help, a lot of contacts and communication skills to get deals done and to Brad and Shannon for the financial support and the enjoyment of acting in the transfer window.

“We feel we have added good players, good values, for the right reasons, in positions we have needed to strengthen or change, also with potential for players to be with us longer term, lads who have come in on 18 month or two-and-a-half year deals or even the short-term deals with a view to looking to the future, really pleased.”