Cody may be too hot for Gillingham

Gillingham boss Andy Hessenthaler has admitted he will struggle to keep hold of City striker Cody McDonald next season.

McDonald scored 26 goals in his season on loan to the Gills, but their failure to make the League Two play-offs looks to have damaged their chances of re-signing the 24-year-old.

Hessenthaler said: “It will be difficult. We have already said that we perhaps needed to go up to keep Cody.

“He has expressed his interest about staying but that’s really out of our hands. It’s going to be very difficult to keep hold of him.”