Scott Heard has been ruled out for the whole of this season after meeting with his knee specialist.

The midfielder was in line to return for Folkestone after missing the last few months of last season through injury.

But any deal to sign him up again has been scuppered on the advice of medical professionals.

"Heardy won't play this year," confirmed Invicta manager Neil Cugley. "The specialist told him the bad news that he needs a year off.

"He hadn't signed for us but he was one I was talking to. I hoped he'd get the OK and we could have sorted something out.

"It's more disappointing for him. He's such a fit lad, a fanatic, he loves running around.

"He got injured in February when he was playing really well and didn't play the rest of the season. Now he's going to be out for the season.

"We keep in touch and he's obviously disappointed.

"I'm not saying we'd definitely have signed him anyway. He might have chosen to go somewhere else but we would have offered him terms and hopefully we'll see him again in black and amber sometime."

Folkestone have received a double boost this week, however.

Phil Starkey will join the squad for the start of pre-season training while Jerald Aboagye has agreed a new deal.

Cugley said: "Jerald had a few issues away from football that he wanted to sort out and he has now.

"He's happy and raring to go. He did well for me (after joining from Hythe last season) apart from the last few games when he wasn't quite at his best but sometimes issues away from football can affect that."