Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth on the club's latest transfer plans - Seb Palmer-Houlden replacement could be in before the weekend game against Northampton Town

Manager Gareth Ainsworth expects to have a new forward signing before the weekend - with other deals in the pipeline.

Ainsworth has been looking for a player to replace Seb Palmer-Houlden in attack after his surprise move to Scottish Premiership side Motherwell.

The Gills have also lost an attacking threat from out wide following Kadeem Harris’ ACL injury.

Ainsworth said: “I think there'll be one in for Saturday - and then maybe even another two or three after that. We're down a little bit.

“Nobody saw the Seb one coming. The deal financially for the club we couldn't turn down, what a success story on that side, but brilliant for Seb. We just didn't see the deal coming.

“We've got to replace Seb, also Sam [Gale] and Liam [Gordon] at the back and Kadeem. There's a bit to do.

“Recruitment are helping me massively and [owners] Brad and Shannon have been great. They've been on the phone and [been saying] ‘What do you need? What do you want to do? That's great.

“I'm pleased with where I am but I need about three at least to come in before that window ends for me to be actually really happy about where we are.

“We're going to add, there's going to be an addition in there. I know everyone's not stupid. They're thinking, ‘Right, who's replacing Seb Palmer-Houlden? There's one coming in, and hopefully we can make that quick.

“I'm really hopeful [for the weekend] but obviously I do my business behind closed doors. There'll be no names, there'll be no clubs, there'll be no hints of who it is, but there'll be an exciting player coming in.”

Gillingham have been linked with a loan move for 20-year-old Nottingham Forest forward Lamin Sillah.

The Gambian striker joined Forest’s B team set-up last summer after a successful season playing