February 15 2014

Ryan Inniss

Crystal Palace defender Ryan Inniss has signed for Gillingham on loan until the end of the season.

The teenage centre half had been on loan at Luton, where he made three appearances and scored a goal, but the spell ended when more experienced players returned from injury.

England U17 captain Inniss made his pro debut last August while on loan at Cheltenham but had to return to Palace due to a facial injury and now aims to get more league games at the Gills.

Gilligham manager Peter Taylor said: "He’s an 18-year-old but if you see him and speak to him you will think he’s a lot older than that.

"I think he’s a very good centre half and probably a future captain wherever he is, hopefully for him still at Crystal Palace because I’m sure he will want to break in to their first team.

"He’s a leader; he’s a really good talker. He’s about 6ft 4in, very good in the air and has been on loan at Luton and Cheltenham this year so I’m really pleased to have him.

"I wanted his type in the building because he’s a good talker, he’s a good organiser and I’ve spoken to the other three central defenders to say that he has come here to fight for a place.

"He is not guaranteed a place, it is up to any one of those four to get two places and show me which two should play.

"I’m sure Ryan will come here and do very well, he’s an old fashioned centre half but I think he will be very good news for us.

"We had him watched at Luton so we know about him and I think Luton were fighting desperately hard to keep him but he wants some experience in League One so it’s very good news for us and its filled another slot I was desperate to fill."