Sittingbourne hope the return of striker David Smith will kick-start their season.

The teenager earned a move to National League Dover last summer after scoring 12 goals in an impressive debut campaign for the Brickies.

But with opportunities limited at Crabble, Smith has rejoined on an initial one-month loan.

Sittingbourne have slipped to 13th in Bostik South East after seven games without a win and need Smith’s goals to get them going.

Manager Aslan Odev said: “David’s happy to be back and we’re hoping he’ll provide the goals we need, as well as his energy up top.

“I’ve been trying to get him for a few months but hadn’t been able to finalise things.

“With the change in management there, Andy Hessenthaler was able to help us out.

“He’s back with us and it’s a chance for him to show how he’s improved and developed as a player since his move.

“He’s not been getting minutes at Dover but we can give him that time here.

“I think I got the best out of him before and we can give him a platform to showcase himself and put his name out there.

“Bostik South East is by no means an easy league, so it’s a good opportunity for him to play a good standard and for Dover to keep an eye on him.

“The loan is confirmed for a month but I believe the option is there to make it longer.”

Odev is weighing up further changes in a bid to improve Sittingbourne’s form.

He said: “We’re looking to freshen things up and bring new ideas.

“I’m a loyal person and I like to give people opportunities but maybe that’s running out a bit at the moment.

“I spoke to a couple of players after the Three Bridges game who are now talking to other clubs but nothing’s finalised.”

Sittingbourne visit East Grinstead on Saturday with Odev confident his side will start climbing the league.

Odev said: “Where we should be and where we deserve to be are two different things.

“Where we are is where we deserve to be because we’ve not been winning games.

“But with the stuff we’ve implemented behind the scenes in terms of things like analysis and the coaching and the more professional feel we’ve brought to the club, we should be up there in the table and we will be.”