Gillingham have a plan for young striker Joe Gbode if things continue as they are.

The 19-year-old youth product has been a big plus for the Gills this season after making his mark in the first team.

Gbode’s played 17 games for the senior side this term but has been an unused substitute in the last three league outings - something manager Mark Bonner knows isn’t good for his development.

It could mean a loan move out in January.

Bonner said: “If it continues like this, where his minutes are low, then he has to go out on loan.

“Not only is it no good for his development but as an example of someone that might be able to do it for us somewhere down the line, he won't if he's not developing and playing.

“I mentioned that in the summer. It's absolutely no shock to me that we're in this scenario where he's had a brilliant little spell and then he's eased off a little bit.

“He needs to go and play regularly all the time.”

Gbode’s offered quality at times for the senior side, playing out wide, and does fill the homegrown player quota for the team. Without him, the Gills would have to pick another who has progressed through the club or name one less player in the squad.

Bonner said: “He is our only (homegrown) one at the moment that isn't out on loan or isn't a scholar.

“Bradley Dack would be one of those but obviously isn't available.

“We can't just keep him with us just to be filling a bench. That's not right. We'll see how this little period goes.

“We've got a lot of games in a quick period of time. I don't think it's the right time at Christmas to loan people out because the picture can change so quickly with so many games.

“If we get to January and a little bit of manoeuvring happens in the squad and he hasn't really played a part, then not only is it right for his development to go out and play but it's also fair on him as well.

“You don't want him to become demotivated by that. We'll see how that one goes over the next month.”

Bonner will hope to have senior winger Aaron Rowe available soon, giving him an extra option on match days.

The Gills have a number of young players out on loan at the moment.

Sam Gale, 19, has been on loan at Chelmsford City since August and getting plenty of game time. He started in their 3-1 win over Slough Town in National South on Saturday.

Alex Giles joined National South side Aveley for a month at the start of November. He was a starter for them at the weekend in a 1-1 draw against Welling United and could face Maidstone United tonight (Monday).

Striker Harry Bridle has been on loan at Steve Lovell’s Herne Bay while goalkeeper Taite Holtam is at Isthmian South East’s bottom side Phoenix Sports.