Danny Coles believes Bristol Rovers only need to recall Chris Dickson's explosive debut for the side to know the danger they could face at Gillingham on Saturday.

The Gills have finally landed the Charlton marksman on loan until the end of the season, and he is set to begin his second spell with the Kent club against the Pirates at Priestfield this weekend.

Dickson started a three-month loan stint with Rovers last September and went on to score four goals in 10 starts, with a further four outings from the bench.

And central defender Coles remembers how the striker marked his debut for the club by netting twice and setting up the other goal in a 3-1 win at Brentford.

"Dicko showed in his first game for us what he's capable of," said Coles. "He runs the channels well and he can be a serious threat.

"I don't think we saw the best of him while he was down here, although he's someone with a lot of potential. But I think things here maybe didn't work out how he would have planned."

Despite further goals against Southampton and Yeovil, Dickson's spell at Rovers petered out tamely and since his strike against the Glovers on October 24, he has gone 13 games without finding the net.

But the Surrey-born striker had a previous loan stint with Gillingham in 2007 and made a big impression by scoring 11 goals in 14 games.

Gills boss Mark Stimson has been a long-term admirer, although Rovers beat him to the punch last autumn when Dickson's arrival at the Memorial Stadium sparked a public spat between the two south-east clubs.

But Stimson was able to get his man once Charlton agreed a deal with Sheffield Wednesday to extend Akpo Sodje's stay at The Valley.

And Coles hopes Paul Trollope's men can now go on to complete a double over a team they beat 2-1 at the Memorial Stadium in November.

"Dicko's a good player, but he's also a very confident young man – and sometimes that can work against you," said Coles. "We know his strengths and we'll be trying to make sure he gets the ball to feet rather than letting him run in behind us."

Gillingham are keen to protect a sodden Priestfield pitch and called off their reserve game with Brentford at the stadium today, following heavy rain in the area.

● Rovers are reminding fans that their game at Exeter City next Tuesday is all-ticket.