Manager Steve Lovell wants to add a striker to Herne Bay’s squad before the start of the new season.

Bay have Kane Rowland, Gil Carvalho, Jack Richards, Sammi Takaloo and Troy Howard – now at Lydd as part of a dual-registration agreement - among their attacking options, while Emmanuel Morrison remains on trial.

But of all those already to commit with Herne Bay for the 2023/24 campaign, which begins in Isthmian South East at home to Burgess Hill on August 12, only Rowland is an out-and-out forward - although he has experience playing towards the other end of the pitch, too.

Lovell said: “He can play centre-half but, when I had him at Ramsgate, he was excellent for us as a targetman.

“That’s where I will be playing him, first and foremost. But if he can help out at the back, I’m sure he will.

“I think we might need to find another forward. At the moment, we only have Kane and Manny, who’s still with us. But if anything happens to Kane, I don’t have an out-and-out forward.

“That’s a priority.”

Morrison remains with Herne Bay but another on trial this summer, attacking midfielder Samson Maagbe, has left.

Lovell revealed: “Emmanuel is still with us but, Samson, I have released.

“It’s hard to release players. But you have got to for the players’ sake, so they can find a club before the season starts.

“It’s not fair to keep hold of them if you’re not going to use them.”

Ex-Maidstone and Margate player Richards netted in Bay’s 2-0 away friendly victory over VCD Athletic on Tuesday.

“Jack has been away,” Bay’s boss noted. “He has been on holiday.

“Players, at this standard, they need to get away during the off-season but it’s frustrating as a manager. He has just come back from having a break.

“He did well on Tuesday and knows he needs to get himself fit - so do three or four others.

“If they can get themselves match fit, they will get themselves into contention to go into the starting team.

“It’s gearing up well. The squad is bedding in nicely.

“I will have a few players to choose from when I pick the team for August 12.”

Rowland was also on target.

On the friendly against Southern Counties East Premier Division VCD, Lovell reflected: “It was a tough game. They were quite physical.

“To be honest, the two keepers I used, neither had to make a save. Defensively, we were solid and we created some chances - and took a couple.”

That came after a 2-0 weekend loss at home to a Gillingham XI.

“It was a tough game,” Lovell said. “They were fit, I thought they were very good.

“The two goals we conceded, they were disappointing. It was disappointing not to score, but their goalkeeper was very good. He protected his goal well.

“We created enough opportunities to score, we didn’t, but it was another game where we gave a lot of trialists a run-out.”

Player-coach Liam Friend and Harrison Pont have developed a strong partnership at the heart of defence.

Lovell said: “I think they have done well, they complement each other. They’re doing very well together.

“They’re both good players. Friendy has been a good player for many years. Ponty is just starting off and has a big future.

“They have formed a very good partnership together.

“Although Ponty is young, he has played a lot of games and is experienced at this level.

“We’ve built a new dressing room of players and it’s great to see they’re getting on well together, not just on the field, but off the pitch as well.

“It’s so important to have a good dressing room.”

Bay’s first-team squad play their under-23s, managed by Mark Taylor, in a behind-closed-doors friendly this Saturday.

“We have got a couple of boys in from the under-23s which have been playing with us,” Lovell revealed. “They have been very good.

“There’s a couple more Mark, the under-23s coach, has given me the names of.

“It’s always nice to have players like that.

“Through the season, we will get injuries and suspensions, and it could happen when we cannot get players in.

“I will be working with a squad of 16 or 17 players.

“But if there’s under-23s that can come in, it makes things easier.”

Bay have been drawn at Sevenoaks in the Kent Senior Cup First Round, the winners will be at home to National League South Welling.