Sittingbourne manager Ryan Maxwell focusing on his own side rather than Adebayo Akinfenwa as Brickies prepare for Swale derby at Faversham Town

Boss Ryan Maxwell is unfazed by the prospect of facing Adebayo Akinfenwa when Sittingbourne visit Faversham in the Swale derby.

Former Gillingham favourite Akinfenwa could feature on Saturday (3pm) after being tempted out of retirement by the Lilywhites for their Isthmian South East survival bid.

The big striker was still playing in League 1 for Wycombe last season, with his move to Salters Lane attracting plenty of interest.

Maxwell respects the 40-year-old, who he met while a youth-team player at Crystal Palace, but is concentrating on his own side.

“I remember him coming on trial at Palace as a kid,” said Maxwell.

“He’s had a good career and fair play to him. He’s made the most of what he had. We’re aware of him but it’s not about him.

“Faversham have chucked everything at trying to stay up.

“They’ve been heavily backed financially - everyone knows about that - but they’re still down there.

“We’ve got our own goals to achieve. We still need to get away from the bottom ourselves, so we won’t worry about what they’ve done or who they’ve signed.

“We’re aware, of course, but ultimately it’s about what we do that’s most important.”

It will be Maxwell’s first taste of a Swale derby and he’d love to deliver a win for Sittingbourne fans.

He’s only been at the club a couple of months but has quickly grown attached to the Brickies faithful.

“I know this game is big for the fans and we’ll take that on board,” said Maxwell, who is targeting one more signing - a striker - before Thursday’s deadline.

“The Sittingbourne fans are fantastic and we want to do this for them more than anybody else.”

Sittingbourne gave a debut to Harry Hope in their 1-1 draw at Littlehampton on Saturday, with fellow new boy Chris Mananga among the