Bradley Stevenson has returned to Herne Bay.

The ex-Gillingham midfielder had been with Bay earlier this season and, after leaving National League South Chelmsford City, has rejoined Ben Smith’s side.

Stevenson could be involved for the Isthmian South East promotion-chasers, fifth in the table, when they travel to basement boys East Grinstead this weekend.

The game comes after their 2-1 home win over Three Bridges last Saturday, with their league trip to FA Cup giant-killers Chichester postponed on Tuesday.

Smith said: “We had a couple unavailable in midweek but that’s gone now.

“We trained well on Tuesday night and we have the option of bringing Bradley Stevenson back into the squad.”

Smith thinks Stevenson still has a future in the pro ranks but he insists the 21-year-old will have to earn his place once again.

He said: “We have said to him that he has to earn his place in the squad.

“He is someone I still believe will go back into the professional game.

"If we can get him back performing, that will be good because he will bring a lot of quality.”

Right-back Ryan Cooper and hitman Zak Ansah were on target in the win over Three Bridges, Bay recovering after conceding an early goal.

“Anyone that has been at Faversham for a long time will know how good he is,” Smith said of Cooper.

“He went to Folkestone and played a season in the Isthmian Premier but it didn’t work out.

“It’s surprising how quick he is (and) his fitness levels are a joke.

“You hear a lot of people saying ‘this player is the best in the league in this position’ and ‘this player is the best in the league in this position’ but he has got to be up there as a right-back.

“I think it’s a silly argument because there’s a lot of good players about but he has been a massively consistent performer at the football club.”

East Grinstead, now managed by Leigh Dynan, are six points adrift but Smith isn’t expecting an easy outing for his troops.

“It’s a tough place to go,” he said.

“It was 3-1 at our place (when they met in November) but we ran riot and it could have been any score.

“They have new management now and they have new players, and that makes it a little bit more interesting.

“But we are a good side and we are where we are in the league for a reason.”

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