Hythe have suffered a major blow on the eve of their first pre-season friendly with the news that new signing Sam Bewick is ruled out with cruciate knee ligament damage.

The former Herne Bay, Maidstone and Tonbridge Angels midfielder was due to undergo a minor operation but scans revealed the problem was more serious.

Boss Scott Porter said: “The news is a real setback for Sam and for the club. The poor lad is devastated.

“I am talking to another experienced Ryman League midfielder and hope he will sign in time to be involved at the weekend.”

Porter’s two other new signings, Shaun Welford and Ryan Cooper, will both figure against Margate at Reachfields on Saturday.

Meanwhile Hythe Town have unveiled GSE Group as the new main sponsors.

The two-year deal agreed for a “lucrative” but undisclosed sum offers the Ryman League, Division 1 South club a new link-up with the local building, civil engineering and construction experts.

The GSE group’s Josh Healey added: “As a Hythe-based business, we are immensely proud to show our support of the town’s football club.”