Newcastle United midfielder Michael Richardson has joined Gillingham on loan to further strengthen their squad.

The 20 year is the second signing made by Martin Allen in the space of 24 hours following Ryan Williams signing on loan earlier on Thursday from Fulham.

Richardson is yet to make his debut for Alan Pardew’s side, but played four times whilst on loan with Leyton Orient last season.

The dynamic midfielder trained with The Gills for the first time on Thursday and will go straight into the squad to face Dagenham & Redbridge at Priestfield on Saturday afternoon.

Like Williams, Richardson has been initially signed on loan for a month with a view to extending the deal further.

With Danny Kedwell set to miss the next three weeks with his hamstring injury and Charlie Allen having been confirmed as having broken a bone in his hand, the signings of Williams and Richardson couldn’t have come at a better time.

Meanwhile, Allen confirmed at his press conference on Thursday that one of his players was ill and could miss Saturday’s game, whilst a couple of other players were carrying knocks.