Tommy Forecast kept goal for Gillingham at Preston in the FA Cup

by Luke Cawdell

Stuart Nelson has been an ever-present between the posts for Gillingham but boss Martin Allen paid tribute to his understudy Tommy Forecast this week.

The Southampton loan keeper has started every league match on the bench this season.

Forecast, who moved to Priestfield as part of the deal which took Paulo Gazzaniga to Premier League Southampton, has been limited to cup outings and a brief league appearance after Nelson was sent-off in the game at Accrington.

But Allen, who has seen Forecast every week in training, had good things to say about the No.2 keeper.

Allen said: "I am delighted with Tommy. He has been a fantastic player for us. People may have a wry smile about that and ask ‘what are you talking about?’ but he has been fantastic, along with Stuart Nelson and Carl Muggleton.

"They have a fantastic relationship and Tommy has been really good for us. He is a good goalkeeper as well."

Strengthening the goalkeeping department in recent weeks has been loanee Yussuf Mersin, from Liverpool.

Boss Allen is keeping tabs on the former Turkey youth international for the future but a permanent deal may be tricky.

"There is potential there for the future," he said. "He comes from down here (having played junior football for Millwall) and I have seen him play a few times. Yes there is a possibility.

"He has another year on his contract at Liverpool and so it would probably quite difficult for us to actually sign him, financially."

However, the Gills could look to sign him up again next season on loan.

Picture: Barry Goodwin