[themaclad]

Gillingham have brought in two new loan men on deadline day, Andy Smith from Hull City and Dominic Corness from Premier League leaders Liverpool - both on deals until the end of the season.

Liverpudlian midfielder Corness, 21, who can also play at left-back, is yet to make a first-team appearance, but has played regularly for the Reds' Under-21s.

Defender Smith, 23, has made one appearance for the Tigers this season, against Sheffield Wednesday in the Carabao Cup in August.

Smith came through the youth set-up at Hull and has made a total of seven appearances for the club, as well as spending time on loan at Salford City, Grimsby Town and Cheltenham Town.

That takes the Gills' total of signings in the winter transfer window to five.

Gillingham, now managed by another Liverpudlian John Coleman, have tumbled to 17th in League Two, nine points clear of trouble, having not won in eight games since 14 December - a run of only three points out of a possible 24.

[themaclad]

Colchester United have opened contract talks with forward Lyle Taylor who finished the season as their top scorer.

The former Charlton and Nottingham Forest striker scored 13 goals for the Essex club as they finished 10th in League Two.

Defenders Fiacre Kelleher, Tom Flanagan, Mandela Egbo, Kane Vincent-Young and Frankie Terry are also in discussions over their futures with their current deals due to expire in the summer.

"We are working really hard to negotiate new contracts for Tom, Lyle, Manny, Fiacre, Kane and Frankie," head coach Danny Cowley told the club website., external

"I know all of the boys are keen to stay and we would love them to be with us next season and beyond."

The U's have taken up options to retain the services of forwards Samson Tovide and Owura Edwards, goalkeeper Tom Smith and full-back Ellis Iandolo.

Youngsters Alfie Bendle and Hakeem Sandah who both featured in the EFL Trophy have been released.