No Gillingham deal for Norwich City’s McDonald

Norwich City striker Cody McDonald has confirmed he will not be returning to Gillingham next season.

The 24-year-old, who scored 26 goals during his season-long loan spell from Norwich, revealed on his Facebook page that he is to leave Priestfield.

He said: 'I feel so bad but it wasn't up to me.'

Previously the striker had said he was keen to return to the club after admitting City's new Premier League status means he may be unlikely to figure in their first-team plans.

His loan deal from Norwich came as a result of Simeon Jackson's transfer to the Canaries last summer.

The former Dartford striker has a year left on his contract at Carrow Road and was this week linked with a move to Coventry City.

Confirming the news, and that the club's winger Andy Barcham was also due to leave, Gillingham boss Andy Hessenthaler told media in Kent: 'It looks like Andy Barcham won't be staying. He has something else lined up and we won't be getting Cody.

'We are disapppointed to be losing Barcham and Cody but what can you do?

'Barcham sees himself playing in League One and, as a former player myself, you can't blame them for wanting to play at a higher level. It's not about money for those two boys, it's about football.'

Speaking at the end of the season, McDonald said he did not believe there would be a role for him to play at Carrow Road.

He said: 'I think going back to Norwich is obviously going to be difficult after they got promotion to the Premier League. Great credit to them, but it will be difficult to play as I didn't really play in League One or the Championship. I'm not ruling out a move to Gillingham, but it's out of my hands.'