Gillingham made their first signing of the January transfer window last week and head coach Stephen Clemence insists they remain open for business.
The signing of Swindon’s attack-minded right-back Remeao Hutton is hoped to provide more ammunition for the strikers. However, the Gills are hopeful of concluding further deals before the window closes on moves for contracted players next Thursday night (February 1).
Rotherham United’s underused Irish striker Georgie Kelly – who scored on his debut for them at Priestfield – has been linked with the club as the management look to make the team more productive.
Last weekend’s disappointing draw with Forest Green Rovers was another opportunity missed for the Gills as they hover on the fringes of the League 2 play-off places.
Clemence believed that when he took on the job he would get extra additions this month, as the Gills look to make the second half of the season better than the first.
Having got one new face in the door, Clemence said: “I always felt that when I came to the club I was going to get backed in January and they (the owners and recruitment department) have been fantastic. They have delivered on that and that is all you can hope for for someone in my position.
“I am hoping it’s not the end of it, I am hoping we can get some more players over the line, but we will have to see. I can’t promise we will do that.
“The transfer window is still open and I know the recruitment team are working hard, the owners are working hard, we will still try and be active if we can be but, as I have said a few times, it is not always easy to get players during January.
“Teams don’t want to get rid of the players that we are after because teams still need them for their own season.
“Some of them are out of contract at the end of the season and they are easier to obtain.
“We are open for business until the end of the month, like every other club in the Football League. If there are players available that we are interested in then of course we will go after them.”
Last week saw striker Lewis Walker head to Woking on a permanent deal before Hutton arrived and the Gills will have to continue to balance the books. Clemence hasn’t ruled out others leaving.
He said: “I like to be fair to players if I feel they are not going to play or be involved or not be involved enough, then maybe that is something I have to look at, but teams have to want those players and that isn’t always the case.
“There are a lot of moving parts in a transfer but the group I have got is a strong one, I want as strong a squad as possible.
“I look at February when we’re playing Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday games, there are a lot of games coming up then and the stronger our squad the more chance that will give us.
“You only have to look at the game against Accrington where those lads on the bench, who probably weren’t happy with me, they came on and got us over the line and made a massive contribution. Everyone has to contribute, whether that’s from the start or off the bench. We need a strong squad.”
There has been plenty of movement in League 2 this month so far, particularly in the loan market. Connor Mahoney is Gillingham’s only loanee but Clemence admits he’d prefer permanent recruits over temporary ones.
He said: “We look at all markets. What I want at the football club are people who can play at the top end of this division and can play in the league above as well, that is the market we have to be in.
“I am not ruling loan players out at all, but obviously they are going to go back to their parent club and I would prefer to have a player who is going to be here and play a part in the club’s future.”
