In-form striker Harry Smith has been tipped to play at a higher level but wants to stay at Folkestone "for the foreseeable future."

Smith’s hat-trick at South Park on Saturday took his goal tally to six in seven games since joining from Sittingbourne in December.

The big target man is keeping Carl Rook out of Neil Cugley’s starting XI and, aged just 20, his best years are still ahead of him.

Cugley said: "The idea was that he’d be Rooky’s understudy and learn from Rooky but he’s gone in there and taken his chance.

"He’s got a real chance if he can carry this on. Clubs are going to look at him.

"He’s got a goal a game, he’s 6ft 6in and people like big centre-forwards but he’s got a good touch and good movement as well.

"He’s not just an aerial threat. His touch is good and the finishes for his first two goals (on Saturday) were high quality.

"Being that size helps but it’s not just his size. I still think he’d be a good player if he was 5ft 8in.

"He’s got a good touch, ability and he can score goals but being six inches taller than most people does make him a presence as well.

"He’s done well and I’m pleased for him."

Smith came down with tonsillitis just days after signing for Invicta and lost about 20lb during three weeks out. But he’s now fully fit and feeling the benefit of swapping Woodstock Park for the Fullicks Stadium.

Smith said: "I was on a contract at Sittingbourne and I said to (manager) Nick Davis that I felt it was best to have a new challenge.

"Hythe were interested before that but I didn’t really fancy it. I had a few offers from different clubs but nothing interested me so I was going to take a break until after Christmas.

"But I then had a call from Neil, met him the day after and it was done within 10 minutes. My mind was made up as soon as I met him.

"I spoke to (former Folkestone winger) Dane Luchford, who was at Sittingbourne with me as well and he sold the club to me.

"Everyone I spoke to said Neil is the best manager in this league.

"I knew I wasn’t going to walk straight into the team. Neil said I could learn from Rooky and Draycs (Ian Draycott) so I thought it was a good option for me.

"Once you get a bit of confidence and get that first goal, you’re flying. It makes a difference.

"They want to go up this year but they don’t want to stop there, they want to keep going. I think once they get out of this league, they’ve got the platform to carry on.

"If I saw myself as just a passer-by until the end of the season, I wouldn’t have signed. I see myself being there for the foreseeable future."

Read the full story in the Folkestone & Hythe Express.