Young defender Louie Procopi has joined Deal on a dual-registration basis - having trained with them in pre-season.

Teenager Procopi briefly worked alongside Steve King’s Hoops in the summer after leaving Isthmian Premier Margate before he was snapped up by Ramsgate manager Ben Smith and landed a trial with Premier League Brentford.

He was on the bench as Deal returned to Southern Counties East Premier Division action with a 1-1 draw at Punjab United last weekend and Hoops boss King says he could play for them again soon when not required by the Rams.

“We were looking at bodies and areas that we thought we could strengthen in,” said King.

“Obviously, I get on well with Smithy at Ramsgate.

“We may well use him in the coming weeks as and when they aren’t using him.

“He actually did a pre-season session with us before Ramsgate went back.

“He ended up signing down there and went on trial at Brentford.

“He might be someone we have available at points in the next few weeks as well.”

The Hoops came from behind at Punjab United in their first competitive match in 12 days.

Substitute defender Alfie Foster equalised but, despite the hosts having a player sent off before play had even restarted after a first-half drinks break, the visitors couldn’t find a winner in front of a 153-strong crowd.

King noted: “Alfie started on the bench.

“We went with Kane Smith ahead of him. That was a tough decision.

“Alfie’s excellent for us but we went with Kane from the start.

“Alfie came on after an hour and scored pretty much straight away with a header from a corner.

“I was really pleased that he could do that.

“Obviously, that set us up with 30 minutes left to go and win the game.

“We created chances but we didn’t take them in that period.”

The match was played in stifling conditions.

“It was absolutely sweltering on Saturday so it was very difficult conditions for a game of football,” King added.

“Anyone who knows Gravesend in the heat will know how hot it gets there. It was difficult but we picked something up.”

Goalkeeper James Tonkin helped fill the void left by sidelined shot-stopper Henry Newcombe - but, due to Tonkin’s work commitments, Deal will need to look at alternative plans going forward.

“That was just a one-off, really,” said King, who had Sam Hignett in goal for Tuesday’s derby 3-0 home win over Whitstable. “He wasn’t working and Henry’s still not fully fit.

“So I wasn’t going to miss the opportunity to have him [Tonkin] in goal for that game.

“He’s a goalkeeper I rate very highly. He did well.”

The Hoops, who previously hadn’t played at home since mid-August, start their Kent Senior Trophy journey this season against Holmesdale at the Charles Sports Ground on Saturday.

Deal made it to the Final last year - only to be hammered 6-0 at Maidstone’s Gallagher Stadium by Punjab.

King admitted on Monday: “We want to try and go one step further than last year.

“They’re two tough games but it’s nice to be at home.

“We’ve only played two at home - one in the FA Cup and one league game - but they were over a month ago.

“So we’re looking forward to being back.”

Three first-half goals from Billy Munday, Aaron Millbank, with a penalty, and Tom Chapman saw Deal get past the Oystermen in midweek. Procopi wasn’t involved for them.