Sheppey United joint-manager Ian Batten says star midfielder Jacob Lambert is going to try his luck at Step 3

Jacob Lambert is set to leave Sheppey United after attracting interest in the league above.

Two Isthmian Premier clubs have invited Lambert along to pre-season training.

The attacking midfielder will be a major loss but joint-manager Ian Batten says he deserves to move up.

“I think he’s going,” said Batten.

“I had a conversation with him on Friday and he’s going to try his luck at Step 3.

“He goes with my blessing. He owes Sheppey absolutely nothing. He’s done wonders for the club.

“He single-handedly kept us up last season.

“When me and George (Batten, joint-boss) came in, he scored in pretty much every game he played for us.

“He also took the £100,000 penalty, the winning penalty against Billericay in the FA Cup.

“He’s a great lad, a really humble lad, and he said if it wasn’t to play a step higher, he’d stay.

“He’s not interested in money either. I don’t think he’s ever asked for more money, he just wants to enjoy his football and play, and you don’t get many like that any more.

“Even if he wanted to go to someone in our league, who he thought had more chance of finishing in the top two or three, I’d wish him well because he’s such a great lad and he’s done great things for the club.”

Sheppey’s summer rebuild is gathering pace, with forward Michael Salako and defender Harry Lawrence on board.

Salako made a name for himself at Herne Bay, scoring 50 goals in two seasons at Winch’s Field.

The striker, who’s also played for Sittingbourne and Cambridge City, ended last season at Faversham.

“We met him at the ground and he said as soon as he spoke to us, his mind was made up,” said Batten, who has also seen former Lewes midfielder Cameron Andrews join the Ites.

“He didn’t want to wait for any other offers, he wanted to come