Gillingham chairman Paul Scally has revealed the League Two club will 'do everything in our power' to sign Norwich City striker Cody McDonald on a permanent deal.

McDonald moved to Priestfield on a season-long loan as part of the deal that brought Simeon Jackson to City and has proved a big hit, plundering 22 goals for the Gills. And Scally hopes to start negotiations with Norwich over a permanent move in the summer, although he admitted he has had no indication that the Canaries are willing to do a deal for the 24-year-old.

'It's true that the future of Cody is not in our hands, and to a certain extent not in his either, given he still has a year at Norwich under contract, but rest assured, we will do everything in our power that's legal to try to get Cody back here,' said Scally, whose side currently occupy the last play-off spot in League Two.

McDonald has become a firm fans' favourite with the Gills thanks to his goalscoring exploits but there will undoubtedly be other clubs interested if Norwich did decide to cash in on the striker, who moved to Carrow Road from non-League Dartford in February 2009.

However, Scally hopes McDonald sees his future with Gillingham due to how well he has settled into his new surroundings.

'Sometimes, and we've seen it with other players over the years, some players just seem to fit in with a certain type of club, play their best football while at the club and often don't shine as well at other clubs, and this may be one case.'

McDonald hinted last month that he could be tempted to leave Norwich if a deal could be ironed out.

'It's been fantastic and you never know maybe something can be sorted for next year,' he said. 'I love it here, the supporters are brilliant, the players are brilliant, everyone's made me feel so welcome.

'We'll just have to wait and see because I've still got a year left on my contract at Norwich so the ball's in their court. Hopefully we can get something sorted.'