Sittingbourne boss Chris Lynch says he couldn’t guarantee Lewis West and Lewis Chambers regular football after releasing the pair on Monday.

Young right-back West joined the Brickies after leaving Millwall last summer but couldn’t hold down a starting place.

Chambers signed dual-registration with National League South club Welling in July, such is his potential, but the Brickies have other options in midfield.

Lynch said: “I’m always looking to improve the squad and at this stage of their careers, quite frankly, they need to be playing 90 minutes as often as possible.

“That’s something I don’t think we can guarantee, so they’re going to look elsewhere.

“They’re both good lads and they work hard. I wish them all the best.

"I had a chat with them and explained the situation and they’ve been very adult about it.”

West was one of two close-season arrivals from Millwall, along with striker Harry Taylor. Taylor has since joined Swedish top-flight club Ostersunds on a three-month trial but West’s path back to the pro game has suffered a setback.

Lynch said: “It’s a lot to ask for any player that’s come from a pro club set-up at youth level to go straight into a men’s first team.

“It’s a big learning curve and ultimately it’s a results business so when it’s not quite happening, changes need to be made.

“This is the real world now. You can play great football on a nice 3G pitch in training with all the pro clubs but the second you come to the men’s game, it’s not quite as simple as that.

“You’re up against big, strong, experienced players who will be knocking you about.

“It’s not that Lewis can’t handle that – he can – but I’m just looking to go in a slightly different direction.”

Sittingbourne return to action after a two-week break with a home tie against South Park in the FA Trophy on Saturday.

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