Gillingham striker Joe Gbode joins National South side Aveley on a 28-day loan

Young Gillingham striker Joe Gbode has joined National South Aveley on loan.

The 18-year-old was named in their squad on Saturday to play Farnborough.

With few B Team fixtures scheduled for the Gills, the club have decided to send some of their young players out instead.

Sam Gale recently joining Hastings United and Josh Chambers went out to Welling United.

Gbode had a brief spell on loan at Maidstone United earlier this season.

He hasn’t featured in a Gills matchday squad under head coach Stephen Clemence and heads out on a 28-day loan.

Earlier this season he made substitute appearances against Stockport and Doncaster in League 2, taking his total senior appearances for the club to 13, while still awaiting his first goal at that level.

The Gills have better attacking options now with the return from injury of Ashley Nadesan and Oli Hawkins in recent weeks.