A BATTLE is developing for the services of Folkestone Invicta FC striker Steve Lawrence.

Lawrence is a crowd favourite at Cheriton Road but didn't play in the Dr Marten's League this season as he sorted out other commitments.

Kent League side Hythe Town looked to have secured his services for next season to boost their attack as he would have less travelling but now Folkestone are keen to have him back after releasing two of their strike force for financial reasons.

Boss Neil Cugley, who looks set to stay on at Cheriton on a non-contract basis, has released forward Nicky Dent and another former Ashford Town man Lee McRobert.

They could follow midfielder Matt Bower back to Ashford. Bower has signed on again for his home town club and Ashford are rumoured to be also talking to Dent.

Cugley has also released fullback James Virgo who came from Ashford via Dover and the move is aimed to save money to enable the Invicta boss to sign up leading Kent League scorer Allan Tait from Deal Town for a small fee. Deal would also get a cut if Tait was to move on to another bigger club.

He is hoping to have a potent strike unit of Invicta top scorer James Dryden, Tait and Lawrence to lead his premier division challenge next season.

Also making a return is fullback Peter McCann from Barnet. "James, Nicky and Lee were high earners at the club," explained Cugley, "and if we were to improve other areas of the squad we needed to cut back."

"Both Allan and Peter are young players with great promise and we have got to look to the future as well."

Virgo has been travelling from Brighton for Folkestone's games. He is also still talking terms with Anthony Henry and Danny Chapman hoping they will sign on again. Lee Dyson has also returned as the clubÕs fitness trainer.

Invicta open with a friendly at home to Kent League winners Maidstone on Tuesday, July 23, and then visit Eastbourne and Hailsham over a weekend.