Stimson made more than 50 appearances for Southend as a player

Gillingham boss Mark Stimson claims he came close to signing a Premier League striker on a three-month loan but the deal collapsed at the last minute.

Stimson says the unnamed player's club allegedly changed the arrangements late in negotiations.

"They chucked a loan fee in right at the last minute," said Stimson.

"On top of his wages, he was coming down from the north so we were going to have to put him up as well and the finances all add up."

He added: "When they asked for a loan fee as well, we just couldn't afford it."

Stimson has been unlucky in his bid to bring a much needed new striker to the club to partner top scorer Simeon Jackson.

His long-time target, Charlton's Chris Dickson, ended up going to Bristol Rovers after weeks of negotiations.

Then Colchester striker Scott Vernon was forced to return to Essex just one game into his month-long loan spell at Priestfield after picking up an ankle injury.

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