Folkestone Invicta deny Faversham Town’s claim winger Jordan Ababio has joined them on season-long loan – as joint-boss Roland Edge insists he still has role to play at Cheriton Road this campaign

Folkestone have denied Faversham’s claim winger Jordan Ababio has joined them on a season-long loan - insisting he still has a role to play at Cheriton Road this campaign.

A temporary switch for Ababio, 22, was announced over the weekend.

But while the Southern Counties East Premier Division Lilywhites say Ababio will remain for the rest of their title challenge, Invicta hope to have him back for the hectic Christmas period as things stand.

Former Bearsted player Ababio will now play alongside defenders Matt Newman and Josh Vincent, who left Isthmian Premier Folkestone for Faversham in the summer.

Joint-head coach Roland Edge said: “Everyone likes Jordan, we like Jordan.

“Then, we look at the statistics and he’s got three in nearly 20 games this season and two of them against Hartley Wintney. But to be fair, Jordan always rings and asks what he can do to improve.

“He texted me last week and said that he was feeling a bit down and that he feels he needs to get his sharpness up and his minutes up. We agreed that he could go out on loan.

“He likes Matt so he will be comfortable there. What you don’t need is Faversham putting out that it’s a season loan when it’s only for two months.

“People might think ‘What’s going on there?’ But Jordan’s better off getting sharp.

“We have no doubt he will go away and come back fitter.

“He wants to get better and better, and to test himself at the highest level that he can.

“Christmas is a busy period. You need all the firepower you can get and he will play a big part in that.”

Folkestone, left without a weekend encounter, gave unbeaten frontrunners Hornchurch a big test last Tuesday. They led 2-1 after 70 minutes but were beaten 4-2.

“It was very pleasing,” reflected Edge. “We made a few