Herne Bay boss Kevin Watson won't rush defender Ryan Cooper back as he edges closer to a return to full fitness

Ryan Cooper is closing in on a return to full fitness after a lengthy lay-off but Herne Bay boss Kevin Watson won’t rush him back.

The defender hasn’t played since November 2021 after he tore his anterior cruciate ligament.

He was put through his paces before Tuesday’s 3-0 Isthmian Premier win over Horsham, though.

Watson said: “He’s running now.

"I’ve not worked with him before but it’s good for him to be back at the club.

“Realistically, he’s probably looking to do a good pre-season. There would be no reason to rush him at this moment in time.

“But, obviously, we welcome him being involved as much as he is.

"If he’s able to join in with any aspects of training or matchday warm-ups, then that invitation is open.”

Watson believes he’s pretty much there in terms of the squad he wants to have for the rest of the season, with midfielder Connor Dymond back from a ban for this Saturday’s home match against Bognor.

He also explained the departures of midfielder Yannis Drais and utility player Emmanuel Martins.

“I think we’re more or less there now with the players we’ll be working with until the end of the season,” Watson said.

“Recruitment is tough at any time, isn’t it? A number of factors need to be right to recruit players.

“Connor Dymond is back from his suspension on Saturday and he’s been one of our most consistent players when he’s played.

“Yannis had to go back to France. With Manny, we decided to part ways with him, as we did with a couple of other players.

"But that happens in football at all levels.

“He was travelling a long way and he wasn’t getting the game time to warrant travelling all that way.

“We don’t want to waste people’s time.”