Steve Watt revealed he very nearly came out of retirement to play in Hythe’s game against Isthmian South East leaders Cray Valley on Saturday.

The sale of midfielder Tom Carlton on Friday, coupled with the absences of Kiernan Hughes-Mason (suspended), Jamie Coyle (unavailable), Charlie Webster (injured) and Frannie Collin (injured) meant Watt’s resources were stretched to the limit.

The situation was only averted when Kaka Dembele’s international clearance came through and Town manager Watt, 34, called in a favour to recruit defender Eli Benoit.

Watt, who has not played since he was at Hastings nearly three years ago, explained: “At one stage on Friday it looked as if two of the under-18s were due to start and I was going to register myself.

“We’d still not got Kaka’s international clearance but then at 5pm I got a call saying it was through.

“I’d also been phoning everyone I could trying to call in favours and fortunately Kiernan (Hughes-Mason) has some good contacts and came up trumps with Eli.

“The reasoning behind me signing was for emergency purposes, that if we were in a situation where we were leading 1-0 with 10 minutes to go I could go on, win my headers and kick people.

“Fortunately for everyone’s sake it did not come to that.”

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Former Dartford and Welling utility man Dembele marked his debut with a goal playing at right wing-back and Watt says his versatility makes

him a very useful addition to the squad.

He has most recently been playing in Australia for Seaford Rangers.

Watt said: “With the budget I’m working with I’ve got to try and sign players who offer good value for money and Kaka can play in a range of positions.

“I thought he was excellent on Saturday and probably our best player. I hadn’t been overly optimistic because of everything that had gone on but the boys were fantastic.

“It was definitely a point gained

for us.”

Watt said Carlton’s return to Herne Bay, for an undisclosed fee, was probably the best thing for all parties.

He added: “The timing of the move wasn’t great, but if I’m honest I don’t think Tom wanted to be at the club any more.

“You get a feel for players and I don’t think he wanted to buy into what we’re trying to do or what I wanted from a player in his position.

“He’s a talented lad, but I’ve always said there’s no point keeping someone at the club if he doesn’t want to be here.”

Hythe, 16th in the table, travel to next-bottom Three Bridges on Saturday in a match Watt describes as ‘massive’ for the Cannons.

Coyle and Hughes-Mason both return while Collin could be back on the bench. There will, however, be no Callum Adonis-Taylor, who has been released.

Watt said: “We’ve had a couple of really good weeks and this is a chance for us to kick on and start our ascent up the table.”

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