Gillingham have bolstered their squad by bringing in QPR defender Conor Masterson on loan for the remainder of the season.

The 23 year old Irishman comes to Priestfield to add competition for places and will be available for Saturday’s League One clash with Oxford United.

Masterson has represented the Republic of Ireland at U21 level and has signed in time to be eligible for selection ahead of Saturday’s game.

Masterson came through the youth system at Liverpool but made his debut for Rangers in an FA Cup tie after signing a two-year deal at Loftus Road in July 2019. 

He has since enjoyed loan spells with both Swindon Town and Cambridge United. He has been assigned squad number 15.

With Steve Lovell restricted as to who he can sign due to the club’s embargo, bringing Masterson in on loan is a decent bit of business and he will join fellow QPR team-mate Charlie Kelman at the club.

That takes Gillingham up to six loan signings with Masterson and Kelman joined by Dan Phillips (Watford), Pontus Dahlberg (Watford), Dan Adshead (Norwich City) and Tom Dickson-Peters (Norwich City).

Only five loan signings are permitted to feature in any one game, but with Dan Adshead currently injured, Steve Lovell seems set to name all five available in Saturday’s matchday squad.