Boss Ryan Maxwell is unfazed by the prospect of facing Adebayo Akinfenwa when Sittingbourne visit Faversham in the Swale derby.

Former Gillingham favourite Akinfenwa could feature on Saturday (3pm) after being tempted out of retirement by the Lilywhites for their Isthmian South East survival bid.

The big striker was still playing in League 1 for Wycombe last season, with his move to Salters Lane attracting plenty of interest.

Maxwell respects the 40-year-old, who he met while a youth-team player at Crystal Palace, but is concentrating on his own side.

“I remember him coming on trial at Palace as a kid,” said Maxwell.

“He’s had a good career and fair play to him. He’s made the most of what he had. We’re aware of him but it’s not about him.

“Faversham have chucked everything at trying to stay up.

“They’ve been heavily backed financially - everyone knows about that - but they’re still down there.

“We’ve got our own goals to achieve. We still need to get away from the bottom ourselves, so we won’t worry about what they’ve done or who they’ve signed.

“We’re aware, of course, but ultimately it’s about what we do that’s most important.”

It will be Maxwell’s first taste of a Swale derby and he’d love to deliver a win for Sittingbourne fans.

He’s only been at the club a couple of months but has quickly grown attached to the Brickies faithful.

“I know this game is big for the fans and we’ll take that on board,” said Maxwell, who is targeting one more signing - a striker - before Thursday’s deadline.

“The Sittingbourne fans are fantastic and we want to do this for them more than anybody else.”

Sittingbourne gave a debut to Harry Hope in their 1-1 draw at Littlehampton on Saturday, with fellow new boy Chris Mananga among the substitutes.

Hope, who played under Maxwell at Braintree, has joined from East Thurrock, with Mananga arriving from AFC Rushden & Diamonds.

“Harry’s given us nice attacking options because he can play in a number of positions,” said Maxwell.

“He was doing well at East Thurrock - he’s been captain there - but there’s been a major change and he became available.

“I’d been in constant contact with him over the last few months so I was ahead of the queue.

“It was great to get him over the line. He’s a great character and he made a good impact.

“He’s made our goal and I thought he was our best player on Saturday, certainly in possession.

“Chris Mananga is a utility player who was previously with Rushden & Diamonds. He’s a player I know reasonably well and he’s another good character.

“He’s gives me a headache and a solution if we have injuries because he’s very flexible and can play in a number of positions.”

Delays meant Sittingbourne didn’t arrive at Littlehampton until 2.35pm, with Maxwell giving his team-talk on the bus.

Chaynie Burgin put them in front early in the second half but Josh Short levelled soon after.

”I’ve watched the game back and we were better than I thought we were,” said Maxwell.

“One lapse of concentration and a decent/lucky finish that’s gone over our keeper’s head has cost us.

“We should have won the game after taking the lead.

“I said at half-time if we scored the first goal I felt we could really open them up.

“It’s disappointing that one moment has cost us but these things happen and we recovered reasonably well.

“The preparation wasn’t ideal, turning up 2.35pm, but that would just be an excuse.

“It wasn’t like we came in 2-0 down. We were 0-0 and played pretty well.

“Everything considered, I’m pleased with the start we made. The boys were professional and didn’t let it bother them.”