James Jeffrey is still part of Whitstable’s plans.

The promising striker signed last summer but, amid more competition for places, hasn’t started since the turn of the year.

He has now joined Hythe on dual-registration and came off the bench in their 1-0 Isthmian South East defeat at Sheppey last weekend.

Boss Marcel Nimani said: “I spoke to Darren [Blackburn], the assistant at Hythe.

“They were short on players and Darren knows James. He has been an impactful player for us.

"He’s very much part of our plans but Hythe can use him, too, when we don’t need him, so he’s match fit.”

Nimani still feels Whitstable are in transition as he reflected on their 2-2 draw on Saturday against Stansfeld in the Southern Counties East Premier Division.

Player-of-the-match Josh Oliver got both their goals at The Belmont through free-kicks on nine and 15 minutes.

Nimani reflected: “We are very much a team still in that transition period.

“The transition is a bit like a roller-coaster.

"Sometimes, there’s moments of individual brilliance. That’s what happened at the beginning. But sometimes, transition periods also can bring inconsistency.

“We started very well but Stansfeld started with a 3-5-2 formation, and we were vulnerable at set-pieces.”

Nimani has been thrilled with Oliver’s development since he was sent off early in his tenure.

“Josh has come a long way since I first joined,” said Nimani.

“I was quite disappointed when I joined and he got sent off.

“But I spoke to him and huge credit to him, his character and his maturity.”

This Saturday, the third-placed Oystermen visit Holmesdale, who are 11th in the league.

Winger Harry Gamble, who pulled out of the Stansfeld game before kick-off with an ankle injury, and on-loan Sheppey wideman Jefferson Aibangbee (knee) are doubts.

Whitstable on Tuesday lost a home friendly 4-1 to Sevenoaks.