Gillingham are in talks with Cardiff City over bringing Deji Oshilaja back to the club.

The 23-year-old defender impressed on loan from the Championship side last season and boss Justin Edinburgh is keen to get him back for the 2016-17 campaign.

Oshilaja made 25 appearances for the Gills last term but his time at the club was interrupted when he was recalled by Cardiff in January before he returned to Priestfield for the run-in.

The Gills are in need of strengthening their backline as Max Ehmer is their only senior contracted centre-back.

A season-long loan deal is being negotiated with Cardiff.

Edinburgh, who has previously had Oshilaja on loan while at former club Newport, was impressed with the central defender’s ability to fill in different areas last season when required.

He said: “We asked him to play right-back and left-back and he did it because he put the team before himself.

“He is not a right-back but he would put the team before himself. In difficult circumstances, he got taken back and it upset his rhythm but everyone can see what he is about. He put his body on the line for the club and was terrific at doing it as well.”

Another player on loan at the Gills last season, Adam El-Abd, is now a free agent after terminating his contract at Bristol City. It’s unlikely, however, that Edinburgh will make a move.