Parkinson has told Dickson he must now fight for his place

Charlton manager Phil Parkinson has reacted with surprise to Gillingham's claim that they are "very close" to signing striker Chris Dickson on loan.

"I really don't know where Gillingham have got that from," Addicks boss Phil Parkinson told BBC Radio Kent.

"Let me stress that we're happy to let him go (on a three-month contract) provided there is a call-back in the deal."

He added: "My job is to do the right thing for Charlton, not Gillingham."

Speaking last Thursday, Gills manager Mark Stimson said he expected the deal to be completed soon, adding the only delay was the issue of the 28-day call-back clause.

But Parkinson said: "I would like to clarify the situation once again.

"Gillingham offered money for him. Then just before the transfer window closed, we said okay we'll accept the offer.

"Then they said that they would take him on a free. I told him that no way would we allow him to join them on a free because we had just let another striker, Stuart Fleetwood, join Exeter on a long-term loan.

"I told Chris that he could join Gillingham on a 28-day loan. He said 'no'.

"Then I said he could join them for three months but we wanted a call-back in case we got injuries. He said he would not go if a call-back was inserted in the loan.

"So I said 'stay and fight for your place'."

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