THE Rory Gaffney Saga Thread

Cambridge fail in pursuit of signing Gillingham striker Ben Williamson.

BRISTOL Rovers have suffered a setback in their pursuit of Rory Gaffney after Cambridge United were denied the opportunity to extend the loan of Gillingham striker Ben Williamson.

Cambridge manager Shaun Derry was keen to do a deal to keep Williamson, who had scored three goals in eight games, until the end of the season in a move that would increased the likelihood that Gaffney would be surplus to requirements.

Gillingham manager Justin Edinburgh, however, has ruled out the possibility of an extended deal to leave Derry contemplating a return to the drawing board in his search for a striker.

Edinburgh said: "He has done it at this level before, there is no doubt about that, so I think he is like a new signing again. You can never have enough strikers, not at any level, and he comes back full of confidence with the bit between his teeth to get back into the team and start scoring goals.

"He sparked Cambridge to get great results and he has won a lot of man-of-the-match awards, scored goals, got assists and more importantly he has gone and played so his game minutes are up, his fitness is up and his sharpness is up.

"I want him to succeed here. He is one of my signings and I brought him here because I thought he would be a real asset to us. He has gone away and rediscovered his confidence and form and hopefully he can play another big part at this club."