Maher has fallen out of favour at Roots Hall (PA)

The 31-year-old trained with the Gills during the week and was signed in time to face Hartlepool, although Southend have a 24-hour recall clause.

Gills boss Mark Stimson told BBC Radio Kent: "He knows the buzz you get from winning and until you've tasted that you don't know how good that is.

"He's up for the challenge, and will play a massive part for us."

Maher, who has played 454 times for Southend over 10 years, captained the side to back-to-back promotions, but has not been a first-team regular at Roots Hall since before Christmas.