Returning Folkestone striker Ade Yusuff has outlined his intention to keep playing for years to come.

Yusuff, who has joined Invicta for a third time, helped Hornchurch claim the Isthmian Premier title last campaign but injured his anterior cruciate ligament in January and arrives following a dual-registration stint at Dartford.

He said: “I achieved what I wanted to at Hornchurch, but I wanted to make sure I was playing.

“I had a bit of a stop-start time at Dartford because they kept calling me back to Hornchurch. Obviously, I wasn’t playing as much as I would like at Hornchurch.

“I’ve got a lot of time for a lot of people there but I want to get playing more regularly. Otherwise, my career could end prematurely - and I couldn’t have that.

"Chris Dickson is a good friend of mine and he’s still scoring at 40.

“That’s fantastic and I want to have that sustainability, as well.”

Yusuff played alongside Dickson - now with divisional rivals Horsham - at Hornchurch, with both players also enjoying successful times at Chatham during points in their respective careers.

“I know him outside of football, as well,” revealed Yusuff, who turns 31 in May.

“I’ve always wanted to have longevity in my career. I hadn’t had any injuries until my ACL and I came back from that within six months.

"I look after my body and I know Chris does the same.

“There’s people like Chris still doing it and that’s testament to him. I want to be something similar in 10 years’ time.

“That’s a challenge to me in terms of keeping myself fit and doing the right things. If I don’t do that, it won’t be possible but, if I do that, it could happen. Frustratingly, I’ve just not been playing regularly enough.

“I try to be as good as I can be for the team but, ultimately, I know what I can produce when I’m playing.”

Over his two previous spells at Folkestone, Yusuff netted 105 goals from just under 200 appearances and is the club’s third-highest all-time scorer.

He sits only behind Ian Draycott (150) and James Dryden (140).

“That’s what I’m trying to get towards,” he said. “With a good 18 months, or even if I have a really good year, I probably will not be too far away.

“Even though it’s been across a few spells, I’ve built a bit of a reputation for myself at Folkestone.

“I want to have a legacy somewhere, that’s something I’ve really thought about. That was quite important in my decision to go back.”

But Folkestone have had some difficulties on the pitch since Yusuff rejoined.

He came off the substitutes’ bench at half-time in a 2-2 draw at struggling Bowers & Pitsea before last Tuesday’s 4-0 home loss to Cheshunt - a defeat compounded by a first-half ankle injury sustained by defender Joe Tyrie.

Their trip to Dulwich last weekend fell victim to the weather.

While Yusuff conceded a top-five finish may be a tough ask for 10th-placed Invicta now, he sees only good times ahead at Cheriton Road.

He said: “I came on at Bowers.

"We were leading 2-1 at one stage but ended up drawing. Then, we had our home defeat against Cheshunt. But I believe in the boys.

“We have got what I would consider to be 17 cup finals. The play-offs are still what we’re aiming for but it’ll probably take a big fall-off from someone now.

“Ultimately, players have got to play for the shirts for the rest of this season and then prove their worth for next season.

"The club is only going in one direction and that’s something I want to be a part of.”

With their game at Dulwich postponed, Folkestone’s squad were put through their paces at Chatham’s Armour Plated Boxing.

“It's nice to do something a bit different,” said Yusuff, who felt captain Ian Gayle, defender Frankie Morgan and top scorer Dan Smith stood out the most in the gym.

“When you have a game called off, you expect to do football stuff and then maybe a bit of running.

“I’m not naturally a boxer and a lot of the players cannot punch properly, in my opinion, but it was fun.”

Next up for Invicta is Saturday’s home contest against Canvey Island and they will again be in home action against Horsham - and Dickson - the following weekend.

“I’ve always said that the home support is good,” said Yusuff.

“They're always backing the team and behind the team. I certainly appreciate their support.

“It will be good if they keep turning out and, hopefully, we can give something to cheer about.”