Sheppey United manager Ernie Batten discusses their Isthmian South East play-off prospects and the financial implications of promotion

Ernie Batten is trying to strengthen his depleted Sheppey squad - but he won’t break the bank chasing a play-off place.

The injury-hit Ites have slipped to seventh in Isthmian South after four successive defeats.

Manager Batten wants to challenge for a top-five finish but is conscious of keeping the club on a sound financial footing.

So while reinforcements are needed in light of a lengthy injury list, they won’t throw silly money around just to try and make the play-offs.

“I’m trying to get players in but it’s very difficult at this stage of the season,” said Batten, whose side host Hythe on New Year’s Day (3pm), having lost 3-2 to Three Bridges on Saturday.

“You’ve got to get the right characters, the right quality, at the right price.

“As a football club we’d like to be involved in the play-offs because I think Sheppey have got the fanbase and the ability to go to the next level.

“Financially, it has to be right for us as well because when you talk about getting quality players in, the price goes up every week, so we’ve got to be mindful of that.

“We’ve got to be financially stable enough to excel at this level and when you go to the next level, it’s another financial commitment.

“To excel at this level you need a certain budget because the players that are going to take you to the next level are at a premium and if you look at the sides that are up there, Ramsgate and Sittingbourne, it bears that out.

“The sides that are spending, I think, the most money, if they’ve got a good management structure, invariably they’re around the top regions of the league.

“As a club we are looking to improve our financial well-being so we can consistently compete, and bearing in mind when you do go up you’ve got to maintain that and