Herne Bay boss Steve Lovell wants to sign another striker before Isthmian South East season starts

Manager Steve Lovell wants to add a striker to Herne Bay’s squad before the start of the new season.

Bay have Kane Rowland, Gil Carvalho, Jack Richards, Sammi Takaloo and Troy Howard – now at Lydd as part of a dual-registration agreement - among their attacking options, while Emmanuel Morrison remains on trial.

But of all those already to commit with Herne Bay for the 2023/24 campaign, which begins in Isthmian South East at home to Burgess Hill on August 12, only Rowland is an out-and-out forward - although he has experience playing towards the other end of the pitch, too.

Lovell said: “He can play centre-half but, when I had him at Ramsgate, he was excellent for us as a targetman.

“That’s where I will be playing him, first and foremost. But if he can help out at the back, I’m sure he will.

“I think we might need to find another forward. At the moment, we only have Kane and Manny, who’s still with us. But if anything happens to Kane, I don’t have an out-and-out forward.

“That’s a priority.”

Morrison remains with Herne Bay but another on trial this summer, attacking midfielder Samson Maagbe, has left.

Lovell revealed: “Emmanuel is still with us but, Samson, I have released.

“It’s hard to release players. But you have got to for the players’ sake, so they can find a club before the season starts.

“It’s not fair to keep hold of them if you’re not going to use them.”

Ex-Maidstone and Margate player Richards netted in Bay’s 2-0 away friendly victory over VCD Athletic on Tuesday.

“Jack has been away,” Bay’s boss noted. “He has been on holiday.

“Players, at this standard, they need to get away during the off-season but it’s frustrating as a manager. He has just come back from having a break.

“He did well on Tuesday and knows he