Folkestone have denied Faversham’s claim winger Jordan Ababio has joined them on a season-long loan - insisting he still has a role to play at Cheriton Road this campaign.

A temporary switch for Ababio, 22, was announced over the weekend.

But while the Southern Counties East Premier Division Lilywhites say Ababio will remain for the rest of their title challenge, Invicta hope to have him back for the hectic Christmas period as things stand.

Former Bearsted player Ababio will now play alongside defenders Matt Newman and Josh Vincent, who left Isthmian Premier Folkestone for Faversham in the summer.

Joint-head coach Roland Edge said: “Everyone likes Jordan, we like Jordan.

“Then, we look at the statistics and he’s got three in nearly 20 games this season and two of them against Hartley Wintney. But to be fair, Jordan always rings and asks what he can do to improve.

“He texted me last week and said that he was feeling a bit down and that he feels he needs to get his sharpness up and his minutes up. We agreed that he could go out on loan.

“He likes Matt so he will be comfortable there. What you don’t need is Faversham putting out that it’s a season loan when it’s only for two months.

“People might think ‘What’s going on there?’ But Jordan’s better off getting sharp.

“We have no doubt he will go away and come back fitter.

“He wants to get better and better, and to test himself at the highest level that he can.

“Christmas is a busy period. You need all the firepower you can get and he will play a big part in that.”

Folkestone, left without a weekend encounter, gave unbeaten frontrunners Hornchurch a big test last Tuesday. They led 2-1 after 70 minutes but were beaten 4-2.

“It was very pleasing,” reflected Edge. “We made a few changes and I think they needed to be made.

“The players bought into it. The most complimenting thing in football is when the other team says ‘You pushed us there’ after the game.

“If they are completely honest, they were relieved to get the points. It showed our lads exactly what they can do.”

Former Folkestone frontman Ade Yusuff made it 2-2 before a late double salvo from home forward Femi Akinwande proved the difference with another ex-Invicta player, left-back Nathan Green, impressing.

Edge added: “You kind of know where you are in the pecking order when two lads that you had to let go were the difference on the night.”

Edge hopes mid-table Invicta can build upon that display when they visit Carshalton this Saturday.

He said: “I would like to think it’s given a bit of confidence to the boys. But Carshalton will not be easy. Some teams are a lot stronger at home and I would say that they are one of them.

“There’s no easy games in this league - you must get sick of typing that - but it’s the truth. We have got to try to replicate that Hornchurch performance.”

Smith, who scored alongside fellow striker Luke Holness at Hornchurch, had to come off with an injury. So, too, did defender Ian Gayle.

Captain Callum Davies is set to serve a one-match ban after he picked up his fifth caution of the campaign in north London - in bizarre circumstances.

Edge revealed: “Ironically, Callum got his fifth one for Gayley’s foul. As far as I’m aware, they don’t look that similar!

“But there’s nothing we can do about it now, so we'll just have to get on with it.”

Folkestone are looking for staff to join the growing team at the new Dugout Sports Bar.

Email hospitality manager John Dunbar at hospitality@folkestoneinvictafc.co.uk.