Gillingham have negotiated a temporary loan extension for Reading striker Dominic Samuel.

The 21-year-old has netted five times for the Gills since moving from Championship side Reading in the middle of November.

His current deal is due to expire on Thursday but the Gills have extended that to cover the weekend game at Blackpool.

Discussions have been ongoing between the clubs about extending the deal further.

Samuel started the season as a member of Reading’s first-team squad but an injury set him back. He joined the Gills to regain his fitness and it took him just six minutes to open his account for Justin Edinburgh’s side.

The striker scored in the 3-1 win over Bury and also netted twice in the 3-0 victory at Millwall.

Goals have also come in the games against Colchester and Wigan, taking his goal tally to five from 12 appearances.

Gillingham can either extend the short-term deal to the full 93-day limit – taking him up to February 13 - or negotiate a half-season deal to allow Samuel to stay for the remainder of the campaign, which will need to be completed before the transfer window closes on February 1.