Gillingham Football Club have bolstered their attacking options by bringing in striker Gavin Tomlin on loan until the end of the season.

The striker, who will be 29 on Friday, has moved from Dagenham & Redbridge with a view to a permanent move and will go straight into Gillingham’s squad that travels to Shrewsbury this weekend.

Having been watched by The Gills for some time, Tomlin’s signature comes at just the right time with Danny Kedwell likely to be sidelined with a broken rib.

Announced on Thursday morning, Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler was pleased to have secured the striker, telling the club’s official website:

“He hasn’t scored many for Dagenham but every player is different when they come into a football club and players play in a certain way. It suits certain players but the way we play will suit Gavin as we’ll create chances.

“He scored four goals in a short space of time and helped them get into the play-offs. He’s a provider as well, he’s a livewire and can cause all sorts of problems.

“I’ve seen him a few times, saw him this season and I saw him last year when he sort of ignited Torquay’s run in to the end of the campaign. They got to the play-offs and then lost in the final but he was terrific for them. We’re pleased with him and I’m looking forward to working with him.”

As for Tomlin, he was pleased to have agreed the deal, telling the club’s official website:

“I’m very pleased to be here. I can’t wait for the games to start.”

“Hopefully I can score a lot of goals for the club, that’s my aim.”

Meanwhile, Dagenham manager John Still explained the reason on allowing Tomlin out on loan:

“We’ve allowed Gavin to go on loan to Gillingham. At the start of the season, I think Gavin was in decent form when probably the side wasn’t. But as we’ve gradually got the team out that we want to play Gavin hasn’t been included.

“We think he is too good a player to not play games and with him not being in the team other clubs have shown an interest, Gillingham being one of them.

“So we decided to do a loan deal for him until the end of the season and we all hope he goes there and does okay.”