Sittingbourne manager Ryan Maxwell hopeful of turning Troy Howard’s loan from Billericay into a permanent deal

Sittingbourne manager Ryan Maxwell is hoping to clinch a permanent deal for winger Troy Howard.

Howard - one of last season’s star men - rejoined the Brickies on loan from Billericay at the end of September.

The loan has been extended into November and Maxwell would ultimately like to take things a step further.

Howard scored 15 goals and provided 16 assists as Sittingbourne reached the Isthmian South East play-off final and FA Trophy quarter-finals.

His form earned a move to Isthmian Premier Billericay but, with game time limited, he took the chance to return to Woodstock.

“Troy is starting to get in form, that’s evident,” said Maxwell, whose side visit Sevenoaks tonight (7.30pm).

“We’ve taken great care of him previously and that’s why he’s come back here.

“He just wanted to play and enjoy his football and that’s what we’re doing with him.

“When he’s playing and enjoying it, he’s an excellent player.

“I think he sees his future here now.

“We would love to make that permanent, and we’ll be speaking to Billericay in the coming weeks.

“We’ll play it by ear but we’d be very keen to take Troy on a permanent deal and I think he would feel the same.”

Howard played 84 minutes at the weekend as Sittingbourne beat promotion rivals AFC Croydon 4-3 at Woodstock.

The hosts trailed 2-0 after 12 minutes but were level within six minutes thanks to Luke Woodward and Derek Asamoah.

Woodward made it 3-2 after half-time and while Croydon levelled with a controversial penalty, Jean-Baptiste Fischer won it from the spot as Sittingbourne edged a seven-goal thriller.

“If you were a neutral, you’d have got your money’s worth, and more,” said Maxwell, who takes the Brickies to league leaders Three Bridges this Saturday (3pm).

“It was strange