Gills miss out on Macken

Last updated : 01 February 2007 By Simon Head

Macken: Gills transfer target opted for Derby instead
Macken shot to prominence at Preston North End, where his prolific goalscoring form earned him a move to Manchester City. But the former Manchester United trainee struggled to make an impact at Maine Road and eventually moved to Crystal Palace.

But sadly Gillingham's attempts to bring the striker to Priestfield didn't come to fruition, with the striker moving to Championship side Derby County instead - and with Bas Savage and Alan Pouton leaving the club, Jepson is determined to make full use of the loan system to improve his already-thin squad.

"We are still trying to add to the squad but Managers don't really want to be letting their players out on loan when they have got a chance of getting money for them," Jepson told the official website.

"In seven days time, when the window reopens for loans, we might be able to line-up a couple of players because the figures we have been quoted for players we have gone for, it is a no-go.

"We have lost Bas and 'Pouts' and it is a blow. We have to replace those players and I will be looking to get a striker in on-loan.
"We were close to getting Jon Macken in from Crystal Palace, who would have been a good addition as he is a proven striker, but it wasn't to be. We have got one or two other irons in the fire and once the seven-day closed window expires, we can maybe get a player or two in for the final push until the end of the season."