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Harrison Hatfull and Lex Allan are staying at Sittingbourne

Harrison Hatfull and Lex Allan have committed themselves to Sittingbourne on the eve of pre-season.

Utility man Hatfull, who recently had a second trial with Bolton, has told boss Aslan Odev he is staying at Woodstock.

The same goes for defender Allan, who had trials with Millwall, Crystal Palace and Norwich last season.

Lex Allan is staying at Sittingbourne Picture: John Westhrop
Lex Allan is staying at Sittingbourne Picture: John Westhrop

Odev feels the pair can put themselves in the shop window at Sittingbourne.

He said: "Harrison had a couple of trials with the under-23s at Bolton.

"They decided to go with someone else but they said they'd stay in contact.

"We've just got to try and give him the platform and the opportunity to show what he's about.

"You never know in football. It depends on who scouts you. If you have a great game and there's somebody watching, you can get the call.

"He has the quality, the right mindset and he's very ambitious and hard-working.

"Lex is staying, too, and he's another one we're hoping we can give opportunities to and put him in the spotlight.

"Like previously, he's just got to get his head down and concentrate on being the best centre-back at Sittingbourne and then the best in the league.

"He's taking baby steps but he's another one who can push on and do great things."

Sittingbourne players have been told to expect an intense workout when they report back for pre-season training on Saturday.

Sittingbourne manager Aslan Odev Picture: John Westhrop
Sittingbourne manager Aslan Odev Picture: John Westhrop

Odev said: "The first three training sessions will be quite intense on the fitness side.

"Footballs will be involved, too, and we'll be looking at a few things to get them going again, to set the tempo and set the standards we want to carry out.

"I've never really understood not getting the footballs out.

"Would you rather be running without a football or with a football?

"They're still running and working hard and getting their fitness. It's got to be game-relevant and if you can do it with a football, why not?"

Odev will look at several trialists having been inundated with requests.

He said: "That's one of the things I'm having to learn quickly, all the random people phoning me and texting me about trials.

"I don't know who they are and they're telling me they know somebody at the club and things like that.

"You've got to try and weed those out but there'll always be a diamond in the rough somewhere - we've just got to try and find him."

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