Neil Cugley hailed the return of Jimmy Dryden as "a massive boost" after the club’s record goalscorer completed his long-awaited comeback from injury this week.

Dryden has netted 138 goals for the club since debuting as a 16-year-old but has been hampered this season by a troublesome knee injury.

However, the striker was handed the all-clear to resume training by a specialist last month and he completed his return to match action with 90 minutes in Folkestone’s Championship Manager Cup third round defeat to Cray Wanderers on Tuesday night.

Cugley, who has been left frustrated by injuries this season, is delighted to have the 30-year-old back.

He said: "It’s great that Jimmy’s back. He’s a top class player, there’s no doubt about that. When you look at quality that can keep you in a division, you look at players like Jimmy.

"He can score goals for fun and that’s what you need. Strikers who do that are hard to come by but now we have Allan Tait and Jimmy. These are the type of players who can make all the difference and they’re great to have in your side."

Dryden came through the game unscathed and Cugley confirmed he will be named in the starting XI for their FA Trophy third round clash at Eastleigh on Saturday.

Robbie Kember (ankle) and Micheal Everitt (knee) are both doubts for the clash with Eastleigh.