Boss Neil Cugley insists teenager Tyler Sterling still has a future at Folkestone Invicta - despite joining local rivals Hythe on a one-month loan.

Cugley rates striker Sterling, who came through the club’s under-18s, highly and hopes he will get regular game time with the Cannons in Isthmian South East.

He had previously raised concerns about the 19-year-old’s attitude but says this has significantly improved since - and now Cugley wants him to improve his fitness.

Sterling last night made his Hythe debut as a second-half substitute in their 2-1 victory at Faversham.

Cugley said: “He has been a bit unlucky. Covid came at the wrong time for him.

“He is a lad that has all the potential. He is one of the most skilful players I have had, I think, but there are areas of his game he needs to improve.

“His application is getting better and, now, he needs to get fitter. He is definitely still part of our reckoning.

“All the managers have said the same about him. He needs to get his attitude and fitness right. His attitude has improved no end and, now, he needs to get fitter.

“But I’m sure Steve Watt (Hythe’s manager) knows what he is doing with him. There was always an arrangement we would let Tyler out if he wasn’t playing games regularly.

“We would have done it earlier but we stayed in the FA Cup.

“But now we are out of the FA Cup, we thought now was a good time to do it.”

Sterling was an unused substitute in Folkestone’s 2-1 FA Trophy win over Hendon on Saturday, although keeper Tim Roberts did return to the team while Kieron McCann completed his first 90 minutes since April after recovering from a recent knee problem.

Man-of-the-match Scott Heard and striker Ade Yusuff scored the goals for Invicta.

Reflecting on the victory at Cheriton Road, Cugley said on Monday: “We did a job.

“We have played a lot of games recently so I was just relieved to win. We did enough but we were not at our best.

“But we have played Bognor Regis and Kingstonian (in the league) recently, as well as the FA Cup games against Eastleigh. They are big games.

“They are not robots so I’m pretty pleased for the players.

"At times, we did all right on Saturday but we didn’t do well enough for a long enough period.

“But all in all, we are just relieved. I’m pleased for the players.”

Roberts replaced Alexis Andre Jr, who has a hamstring problem, while Jordan Wright has a leg injury. Both failed fitness tests before the Hendon match.

Wright returned to their starting line-up for their Isthmian Premier match at home to Hornchurch last night, which ended goalless despite Hornchurch's Rickie Hayles being sent off, although Wright came off before half-time.

Cugley said: “It’s a mad November.

“By the end of November, we would have played 17 league games and can start looking at the league table a lot more.”

The win over Hendon marked Roberts’ first match between the sticks for Folkestone since September 25, with the shot-stopper having suffered with a hamstring problem.

Cugley said: “He was excellent.

“I have three really good goalies - I think a lot of Connor Collins. Although he is only young, I like him a lot.

“Sometimes you think you need to solve the problem but then the problem solves itself. Tim did well.

“He made a great save when it was 1-1 so I’m pleased with him.”

Folkestone have been drawn at home to Faversham in the FA Trophy first round, which will be played next Saturday.

They travel to Cheshunt this Saturday and Carshalton on Monday.

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