Whitstable’s goalscoring midweek trialist has already done enough to impress boss Jamie Coyle.

The Oystermen were edged out by last season’s Southern Counties East Premier Division champions Deal on Tuesday, losing 2-1 to a stoppage-time goal.

Their scorer has been offered terms with Whitstable, having linked-up well with summer recruit Jerson Dos Santos in the first pre-season friendly.

“He has been doing really well in training,” said Coyle. “He’ll be signing this week.

“It was actually a well-worked goal. Jerson Dos Santos was outstanding throughout the game - he played as a No.9. He was a really good focal point for us.

“It was a good combination between him and the trialist, and a great goal.”

Alongside trialists, plenty of teenage prospects featured against Deal.

Coyle said: “Our goalie, Dan Colmer, was on holiday on Tuesday night. So, we played Josh Robson. He’s only 17.

“Coming up against an experienced side like that, who’re very physical, that was a really good experience for him.

“We finished with a 15-year-old and 16-year-old playing up top, as well.

“When I went to the club and had the interview, I knew they had a really good youth set-up at the club.

"There were really promising signs.”

The match appeared set to finish level at 1-1 - summer signing Josh Vincent on target for Deal - before forward Rory Smith got the winner in the 94th minute.

Coyle, who played with Glebe last term, reflected: “I rate Deal highly, playing against them last year and knowing the manager Steve King really well.

“Socially, they’re good friends, as well, and that shows on the pitch. It was always going to be one of the friendlies I wanted to get in to test ourselves, especially early in pre-season.

“I was really pleased with Tuesday. Considering we have had a complete rebuild and brought a lot of players in, it was really promising in spells.

“The expectations from me and Matt (Longhurst, his No.2) are really high. But we need to remember we have only had four training sessions to tactically show them the way we want to play.

“There were promising signs but, also, a lot to work on.”

While the Oystermen’s management team did plenty of work in the close season, there’s always room for improvement to the squad, depending on who catches the eye or becomes available, ahead of the beginning of the Southern Counties East Premier Division campaign.

Coyle said: “We have spoken to a number of players in the close season.

"Naturally, they want to pitch themselves at a higher level. That’s fine and you understand that.

“But, in two weeks’ time when they’re not getting as many minutes as they want, they might become available.

“We’re always keeping our eye on players. We’re still looking at a couple of players.

“In the next week or so, hopefully, we can start finalising the squad in time for the start of the new season.”

Former Margate assistant Coyle will return to Hartsdown Park this Saturday (1pm) for the Oystermen’s next warm-up match.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” he said. “Ben Greenhalgh is a really good friend of mine and he actually played under me, as well.

"He’s a friend away from football.

“They have got a fairly new squad with him taking the job over there.

“It will be a difficult challenge and it will be good for the players to experience that.”

Whitstable are set to host Isthmian Premier Folkestone on Tuesday, as Invicta boss Andy Drury returns to The Belmont.