Whitstable's close-season preparations have been rocked with the loss of striker Lloyd Blackman to Kent rivals Hythe Town.

Blackman, pictured, was not the only player to depart Belmont after versatile midfielder Michael Yianni left for Faversham in the week. Boss Peter Nott must now find suitable replacements.

He said: "We didn’t want him (Blackman) to go but he received three offers from Kent-based Ryman League clubs and unfortunately we weren’t in a position to tempt him to stay.

"He lives just outside Hythe so it’s a logical move for him. He did well for us last season and it’s something we could do without. He has experience, he’s proven at this level and he built a good partnership with Ian Pulman."

Nott is now hoping Pulman, who top scored with 24 league goals last season, will not be following Blackman out of the Belmont.

He added: "I’ve got three or four of my players being tempted away but I’ve only lost two of them. We need to bounce on now and we are talking to a couple of forwards ourselves.

"We are confident of landing one of them, if not two. The players are out there and we have someone who has already agreed in principle.

"We only have a verbal agreement, so won’t be making an announcement yet."