Gillingham keen to sign loan players permanently: QPR defender Conor Masterson and Shrewsbury’s Aiden O’Brien have impressed

Gillingham are in talks with some of their loan players over permanent deals.

While manager Neil Harris didn’t name names, QPR defender Conor Masterson is sure to be one of those the club are looking to keep.

Masterson, 24, is out of contract with the R’s this summer and has twice enjoyed successful loan spells at the club under Harris.

The centre-half first joined the Gills last season, just before Harris arrived in January 2022. He went onto become an ever-present and was signed again in the last transfer window, once more nailing down a regular spot in the heart of the defence.

Joining the Gills on a permanent basis from QPR would be replicating the move his centre-half partner Max Ehmer made in 2015 after he too made a positive impression, initially on loan.

Shrewsbury Town’s forward Aiden O’Brien is another player Harris is a big fan of. Injury cut short his involvement this season.

Another front-man the Gills have on loan is Tristan Abrahams, from Eastleigh. Ten of his 12 appearances have come off the bench. Lincoln City’s Hakeeb Adelakun has barely featured since the turn of the year, when performances and results have picked up.

With Ehmer, Cheye Alexander, Shaun Williams, Glenn Morris and Robbie McKenzie committing to new deals, Harris has his eye on keeping more of this season’s team, with the club in negotiations with “a few others.”

Harris said: “There are some important players in there that we want to get done, some of the loan lads have been absolutely terrific for us that we would like to keep, they are important as well.

“There is a lot more business for us to do, as we know. To keep Glenn, Shaun and Robbie, it was good news for us as a group, three players who have performed admirably in a difficult