Sittingbourne manager Ryan Maxwell says good players expect competition after signing Gil Carvalho and ex-Arsenal youngster Jay Beckford

Ryan Maxwell has warned of the competition for a shirt at Sittingbourne after completing two more signings.

Winger Gil Carvalho, who first played for the Brickies under Nick Davis, has returned to Woodstock after an impressive campaign at Herne Bay.

He’s been joined by attacking midfielder Jay Beckford, a former Arsenal under-18 player who has signed from Eastbourne Borough.

It’s been a busy summer for boss Maxwell as he looks to lead Sittingbourne to Isthmian South East promotion following last season’s third-placed finish and play-off semi-final exit.

The Northern Irishman has taken the number of signings into double figures over the past couple of weeks and everyone knows the score.

“It’s about competition,” said Maxwell, whose side beat National League South Maidstone 4-1 in a friendly last night. “The boys are under no illusions.

“Nobody is guaranteed a start here. I’ve told them all you’ll have to fight your way in and then you’ve got to keep the shirt.

“It’s OK playing well for a game or two, I need players performing for a large portion of the season.

“We need competition. It’s healthy. It brings out the best in individuals and if it doesn’t and you find you aren’t able to compete within your own squad, you’re probably not right for me anyway.

“Good players expect competition. They’ve had it for the majority of their career. To the young ones it may be new but you’ve got to start somewhere.

“You’ve got to be at it here and if you find yourself wearing a Sittingbourne shirt for the majority of the games, you’ve done well.”

Carvalho, who’s also played for Ramsgate, Ashford and Faversham, scored 11 goals and provided 10 assists for Herne Bay last season.

Maxwell was initially unaware of his Brickies past but is