Gillingham hope to be at the front of the queue if Cardiff City decide to send Deji Oshilaja back out on loan.

The defender has returned to South Wales to boost the Championship side’s defensive options following some recent injuries.

He ends his loan spell with Gillingham after making 15 appearances for the League 1 promotion-chasers.

Losing Oshilaja was a blow for Gills boss Justin Edinburgh but he hopes the 22-year-old will be back at Priestfield in the near future.

Edinburgh said: “That is not dead in the water. They have one or two injury problems at the moment that they hope will clear up in a week or two.

“I have spoken with (Cardiff manager) Russell Slade and there is only one place that Deji will go back to if that’s the case and that would be here.

“He has assured me of that and it could happen in the next 10-14 days.”

Oshilaja’s exit leaves the Gills short of central defensive cover. They recently let youngster Callum Davies go and Edinburgh’s back-up is versatile player Aaron Morris, currently performing well in midfield.

“It is something we need to assess and make sure we are not left short,” said the manager. “We will monitor that one.”

Edinburgh could turn to former Watford defender Lloyd Doyley, who has been on trial with the Gills.

The experienced campaigner can play anywhere across the back.

The manager said: “There have been discussions on that and it may materialise but it is at the early stages; it is a possibility.

“What has been good for us is that since Max Ehmer came into the side he has been absolutely outstanding.

“Aaron Morris gives us good cover in that centre-half department. It is not something we need to panic about but is is something we need to be aware of.”