FOOTBALL
Frank Nouble looks set to be offered an extended deal at Gillingham.
The 25-year-old forward is currently contracted until the end of the year.
Boss Justin Edinburgh has been pleased by Nouble’s progress –the former Ipswich man striking up a blossoming forward-line partnership with Cody McDonald and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas.
Edinburgh said: “We will sit down with Frank, we would like him to stay. Frank has made a good impact. He is looking stronger and fitter every time he plays.”
A quality finish for the Gills last time out broke the deadlock against Rochdale, in a game they won 3- 0.
It was his first in the league during his second spell at Gills – having been on loan five years ago – taking his tally to three goals in his last four appearances.
“That goal is only going to help him and he looked dangerous when he came on,” said Edinburgh.
“Frank came to us after having no real pre-season, a bit like Chris Herd. You are going a bit blind with these players because they are working themselves up to fitness.”
With Nouble on one flank and Emmanuel-Thomas on the other, it has given the Gills plenty of bite in attack.
Edinburgh said: “Both played in those positions for Ipswich in the Championship and so we knew they both liked those roles.”
Edinburgh, meanwhile, is still in contact with Bournemouth over the rehabilitation of striker Joe Quigley. He suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage just three games into his loan spell from the Premier League club in August.
The 20-year-old was initially set to miss the rest of the season but has recovered well, recently returning to light training.
A new loan deal could be arranged, similar to the one the Gills agreed with Bournemouth for defender Baily Cargill.
Edinburgh said: “He’s still a couple of months away but we will have to look at it. It might be we sign the loan forms and when he gets fit, he comes in.”
Gillingham’s League 1 game at Bolton takes place on Monday night (8pm) after being moved for live Sky Sports coverage, while their game at home to AFC Wimbledon on Saturday, January 7 has been postponed as their opponents are through to the third round of the FA Cup.
The Gills have been awarded £400,000 following John Egan’s move to Brentford.
The fee was settled by a tribunal and comes with appearance-related add-ons and a sell-on fee likely to push the total past half a million.