by Andrew Gidley

Whitstable boss Justin Luchford won’t rush Nicky Southall’s return to action with the start of the new Ryman League, Division 1 South season.

The 40-year-old former Gillingham first team coach picked up a hamstring injury in the 0-0 draw at Harlow on Saturday and could miss the opening day trip to Leatherhead on Saturday week.

Luchford said: "Nicky is a professional, the other lads look up to him but he is one of the boys as well and his quality shines through. We need to monitor his fitness and at this stage I would see him being fit for the second week of the season."

Meanwhile, Luchford has confirmed the signing of defender Sam Groombridge but he has released three, including longest-serving player Gary Sayer, fellow defender Stephen Lloyd and winger Dean Grant.

Lloyd has returned to former club Herne Bay and will be joined at Winch’s Field by Sayer, whose departure from Belmont ends an eight-year association with the club during which time he made well over 250 appearances since his debut in January, 2004. He was named Luchford’s player-of-the-year last season.

The Whitstable manager sends his side out against Ryman League, Premier Division Cray Wanderers at Belmont on Saturday believing they are perfect opposition in the club’s final warm-up game.

He said: "I don’t think we have had one easy pre-season game but I wanted tough matches to help our fitness levels."

Whitstable lost 2-1 at Chatham on Tuesday night, with Luchford blaming two mistakes for both of the Medway club’s goals.

He said: "The first one came from a needless free-kick and the second when a clearance fell straight to their striker."