Clive Cook admits he is already preparing for life after Alfie May, whom he expects will only have three more games in a Hythe shirt.

The 23-year-old netted his ninth goal in his last five games and his 27th of the season in Saturday’s 8-1 FA Trophy first round drubbing at Welling.

He has been on trial at Doncaster, Gillingham and Stevenage, among others, this season and Cook revealed Football League clubs are lining up to agree a deal to take the forward once the January transfer window opens.

Boss Cook said: “It’s all going nicely at the moment and things are getting quite advanced.

“Another club came in earlier this week and we might even see something done by the end of the week.

“It’s got to be what’s best for him and the club but it feels like the time is right for everyone to move on. He’s been nothing short of fantastic for us and worked ever so hard for his opportunity.”

May has now scored 49 times since arriving from Erith & Belvedere 14 months ago and his goals have fired the Cannons into the promotion race this season and last.

Cook said: “Of course, I have started to think about how we go about replacing him.

“I believe he will be available to us until the game on December 31 (at home against Faversham).”

Cook revealed two or three players might be heading for the Reachfields exit in the wake of what he called an “embarrassing” defeat against National League South hosts Welling on Saturday.

He said: “It was not good enough and I told the players that. I was gobsmacked. I was not expecting that. We are better than that.”

Cook has lodged approaches for new signings, adding: “It was in my thought process before Saturday but I held back. I don’t like changing but sometimes you need to strengthen in certain areas. I have to do what’s best for the club."

Sixth-placed Town visit Carshalton Athletic, sat fourth, in Ryman League, Division 1 South on Saturday (3pm).

Craig Cloke, Matt Newman and Jerald Aboagye all return after missing the Welling game while Jay May could be back before new year