Gillingham snap up Vernon and Fry

Vernon has been dropped by Colchester boss Aidy Boothroyd

Gillingham have completed the loan signings of Colchester striker Scott Vernon and West Ham defender Matt Fry.

Both players have agreed one-month deals and go straight into the squad for Saturday's game at MK Dons.

"I'm happy to be here," Vernon told BBC Radio Kent. "I just want to play first team football.

"I've not been playing for the last month. I started the season in the team and basically the new manager's come in and I've found myself out of the team."

He added: "Nobody likes to be told that they're not playing so I want to do well for myself, prove a little point and now do well for the fans here at Gillingham."

The 25-year-old has had previous spells at Blackpool and Oldham, and ended last season on-loan at Northampton.

He scored against the Gills when the Kent club knocked Colchester out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at Priestfield.

Vernon admits he is looking forward to partnering Gills' top scorer Simeon Jackson up front.

"I'm going to learn when I'm playing with him," he said.

"We probably will compliment each other quite well because he's the type of player that likes to get the other side and plays on shoulders.

"He's obviously very sharp and a goalscorer so it should be good fun and we'll try and get a partnership going and see what we can do."

Gillingham manager Mark Stimson has been after another striker for some time and is pleased with his new addition.

"He's played against us a couple of times this year. He'll give us physical presence and is a good football player," he said.

"I would have thought Simeon will enjoy playing alongside him."

Fry, 18, played for Gillingham reserves earlier this season and is highly rated at Upton Park.

"Obviously it's nice to be at a club like West Ham but I'm happy to come to a club like Gillingham and help them out a bit," he said.

"West Ham wanted me to come out and get some experience.

"It's just a month but maybe prolong it a little bit. The talk is Simon King's out for a little while so hopefully I can step in and do a job filling in for him."

Stimson added: "He'll add a left foot in the back four and he's a young kid with a lot of enthusiasm."