Sittingbourne manager Ryan Maxwell is hoping to clinch a permanent deal for winger Troy Howard.

Howard - one of last season’s star men - rejoined the Brickies on loan from Billericay at the end of September.

The loan has been extended into November and Maxwell would ultimately like to take things a step further.

Howard scored 15 goals and provided 16 assists as Sittingbourne reached the Isthmian South East play-off final and FA Trophy quarter-finals.

His form earned a move to Isthmian Premier Billericay but, with game time limited, he took the chance to return to Woodstock.

“Troy is starting to get in form, that’s evident,” said Maxwell, whose side visit Sevenoaks tonight (7.30pm).

“We’ve taken great care of him previously and that’s why he’s come back here.

“He just wanted to play and enjoy his football and that’s what we’re doing with him.

“When he’s playing and enjoying it, he’s an excellent player.

“I think he sees his future here now.

“We would love to make that permanent, and we’ll be speaking to Billericay in the coming weeks.

“We’ll play it by ear but we’d be very keen to take Troy on a permanent deal and I think he would feel the same.”

Howard played 84 minutes at the weekend as Sittingbourne beat promotion rivals AFC Croydon 4-3 at Woodstock.

The hosts trailed 2-0 after 12 minutes but were level within six minutes thanks to Luke Woodward and Derek Asamoah.

Woodward made it 3-2 after half-time and while Croydon levelled with a controversial penalty, Jean-Baptiste Fischer won it from the spot as Sittingbourne edged a seven-goal thriller.

“If you were a neutral, you’d have got your money’s worth, and more,” said Maxwell, who takes the Brickies to league leaders Three Bridges this Saturday (3pm).

“It was strange because we started really well but they scored out of nowhere and, before you know it, we’re 2-0 down.

“Luckily, we scored quite soon after their second and then made it 2-2 - two brilliant goals from Lukey and Derek - so I was delighted with the response, and it would have been 3-2 but for an unbelievable save.

“I was confident in the second half we could turn the screw but it was a game where quite a lot of tactical nous was needed.

“Keds (Croydon boss Danny Kedwell) and myself were having to continually counteract one another, and the subs were important.

“We got the third and then they were gifted a penalty that never was.

“I wondered whether that might take the wind out of our sails but the reaction again was absolutely fantastic and Henry Sinai got brought down for a penalty that was dispatched with real composure.

“It was a very good game, with lots of quality on show from both sides, and I was delighted we showed the chraracter, resilience and desire to win it.”

Woodward was converted into a defensive midfielder after joining Sittingbourne two years ago.

But he proved he can still find the net with his weekend double and he remains a key man for the Brickies since recovering from a long-term knee injury.

“Lukey’s a great player, “ said Maxwell.

“I converted him into deeper-lying player, and he got in the Kent team-of-the-year in that role, but he has had goals in him at previous clubs.

“It’s great he got a couple of goals, which is unique for Lukey with us, but that’s purely because he’s not that high up the pitch.

“He’s a deeper player now, he wins the ball, reads the play, passes it and breaks up attacks, so he’s very rarely in and around the 18-yard box.”

Former Liverpool and Bournemouth winger Jordon Ibe made his league debut as a second-half substitute, having played 90 minutes in the League Cup at Crowborough last week.

It’s clear what an asset the 29-year-old will be as he works towards match fitness.

“He did a couple of things that were fantastic,” said Maxwell.

“You can see that class and the quality are there.

“He does need to get fitter, he’s nowhere near match-fit, but those moments can be absolutely devastating.

“He enjoyed being out in a competitive environment.

“It was his first 90 minutes in over a year last Tuesday, so it’s going to be a journey, but the early signs are very promising.”

Sittingbourne are in Kent derby action at Margate next Tuesday (7.45pm).

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