Whitstable manager Lloyd Blackman has praised Aaron Millbank for his development amid his impressive run of form.

The forward is Town’s current top scorer with seven goals across all competitions, followed closely by Marcus Elliott’s five.

Millbank, who previously worked with Blackman at Ramsgate, supplied a 70th minute equaliser in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with VCD Athletic to make it two in two and four in his last seven games.

Blackman said: “I’m pleased with Azza. I’ve known him and worked with him for two or three years, one thing you’ll always get is that his work rate is phenomenal and at this level that is a necessity.

“He’s also got the technical ability as well as the hold up play and aerial threat, he ticks all boxes.

“One thing I said to him after the game is that where I’ve known him in the past he’d have perhaps got frustrated with the game because it was scrappy.

“Sometimes that might affect his temperament but that didn’t show and that’s good experience, because his mind was solely focused on the game ahead he was able to sniff out an opportunity.

“I’m pleased that’s he’s scoring goals. He’s working extremely hard and looking good.”

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The Oystermen could break into the top five in the Isthmian South East this weekend providing they beat Guernsey and other results fall in their favour.

While keen for his players to remain level-headed, Blackman admits Whitstable can afford to eye up the potential rewards for their progression in recent months.

He added: “Players will be looking at the table, the pressure comes from within to make sure we’ve earned the right to be there.

“If you aren’t there then you’ll be looking to get there. It’s still early in the transition and we’ve only had three months together.

“But we’re earning the right to be there so we won’t be over-awed by it.

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“I think the players should be looking forward to the challenge as opposed to being over-awed by it.

“There are still things I’m learning about the players, we’ve got a few young boys in there as well.

“The young ones I’ve had in the last few years are developing, Aaron (Millbank) was an example of that, not just physically and technically but also mentally as well.

“A few of the others are showing similar characteristics that they can handle it.”

Whitstable are waiting on the fitness of Tom Bryant ahead of Saturday’s flight to Guernsey after the skipper was forced to pull out of Saturday’s draw having suffered an injury in the warm-up.

“He rolled his ankle, hopefully it’s nothing too long,” said Blackman.

“He has been carrying a niggling injury and that just flared up so we didn’t take any chances with it.

“Liam Dickson is still nursing the back end of his calf strain so it was maybe a week too early but he came in and did a good job for us.”

After facing Guernsey, Whitstable are due to visit Ramsgate in the Velocity Trophy on Tuesday night.

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