Stimson keen to keep hold of Fry

Stimson took his side back into League One with promotion last season

Gillingham manager Mark Stimson says he is delighted with how West Ham defender Matt Fry has taken to league football.

The 19-year-old is on loan from West Ham, but had only played for their reserves before arriving in Kent.

"It was a bit of a gamble because he had never played league football before," Stimson told BBC Radio Kent.

"But I watched him play and thought he's got the spirit and character you need at this level. He's not frightened to put his head in and his foot in."

Stimson added: "He went into the first game at MK Dons - having never played a league game - and he looked a season pro."

The Gills boss is now hoping to keep Fry for the rest of the season, thanks to the new youth loan system

"If you're under 21 this year, you can go out on a youth loan and it's the whole season," Stimson explained.

"But West Ham can call him back anytime after the first 28 days.

"Or if he wasn't playing for us - say he was on the bench - and West Ham had a reserve team game, then he could go and play in that and still come back to us.

"But he's happy and he's enjoying himself and I think he'll stay around us."