Gillingham sign Championship goalkeeper in time to face Sunderland tomorrow

Lumley is expected to go straight into the side to face Sunderland tomorrow afternoon, after Jack Bonham suffered a concussion in the 1-0 defeat to Ipswich earlier this week.

The 25-year-old has trained with his new team-mates over the past two days and was registered in time to face the Black Cats.

He has made three appearances for his parent club this season, but is currently third choice for Mark Warburton.

Gillingham boss Steve Evans said he was pleased to bring in an ‘excellent’ goalkeeper.

"Our supporters will be aware that we had to take Jack Bonham off at Ipswich and the result of that was a little bit of concussion and therefore the medial advice, in the whole one million per cent interest of the player, he has to be excused for a period of seven consecutive days,” he said.

“Therefore, he would be unavailable to be selected for the match against Sunderland. The one thing we have always been aware of is that we might have to move into the market for a goalkeeper because we only carry Jack Bonham and a youngster in Joe Walsh, who incidentally played very well on Tuesday and he will play many more games, and big games, for the Gills in his future.

“Joe Lumley is a keeper who has played against my teams, and I have watched perform many times, he is an excellent goalkeeper.

“I quickly spoke to Mark Warburton [manager] and he agreed we could have Joe on an emergency loan basis, subject to the player agreeing. I was then allowed permission by Les Ferdinand to speak to the player, I did, and the minute he picked up the phone, and QPR had already told the boy what the option was, he immediately said he wanted to be here.

“He trained yesterday, and again today, and he joins Joe Walsh in being the two goalkeepers who will be selected tomorrow.

“I would like to thank all at QPR and in particular my good friend Mark Warburton for sanctioning the emergency loan.”