Popular striker Ade Yusuff’s Folkestone return has been explained by manager Andy Drury.

Yusuff has become an Invicta player for a third time.

The 30-year-old started his latest stint with Folkestone off the substitutes’ bench as they drew 2-2 at struggling Isthmian Premier team Bowers & Pitsea, who have appointed Joe Flowers and Luke Wilson as their new joint-bosses, last weekend.

“Ade became available to us,” Drury said. “Over the last five or six years, he has been one of the best strikers in this league so it was a bit of a no-brainer.

“He wasn’t getting enough games at Hornchurch but he’s a handful at this level. He came on during Saturday’s game.

“We still need to get him up to speed, but I’m sure he will be a good signing.”

Across two previous spells, Yusuff has netted 105 goals in less than 200 appearances, which makes him Folkestone’s third highest scorer of all time - behind Ian Draycott (150) and James Dryden (141).

“There was a bit of excitement around watching him on Saturday,” said Drury, whose side are due to host Cheshunt tonight. “He’s someone that adds to our dynamic options up top.

“Since Boxing Day, we’re four unbeaten - with two wins and two draws - and to be honest, those draws should have been wins.

“We have got a really strong squad and it’s just about kicking on.”

Yusuff’s latest comeback is hoped to ease some of the burden on 16-goal top scorer Dan Smith, with Drury playing the pair together at Bowers & Pitsea after the restart.

The Folkestone boss said: “The good thing about Smithy is he can play as a No.9, a No.10 or out wide. Ade can play on the right and the left, as well, so that offers some really good variations.

“Smithy has done well of late. Evans Kouassi has come back in and done well, and Joe Turner has done well since he joined. We had Tom Derry and Matthias Fanimo on the bench on Saturday, as well as Conor Kelly, Ade and Sam Smith.

“So, there’s some good options for us to use whenever we need to make a change.”

Invicta were forced to settle for a point at Bowers as they recovered from falling behind in the first period through goals from Smith and Kouassi in an eight-minute period, only for the hosts to hit straight back.

Drury reflected: “We dominated for most of the game.

“We had 25 attempts on goal to their five. We had a lot of good chances and their keeper pulled off some unbelievable saves, to be fair to him.

“They scored from a set-piece and one cross - and that was about it.

“Unfortunately, we’re getting punished a bit with that sort of thing. Keepers are putting in worldy performances against us.

“But our performance was good on the whole, especially in the second half.

“If we had won 5-2, I don’t think many people at the ground would have had too many complaints.”

Folkestone visit Dulwich Hamlet this weekend, aiming to complete a double over them in the league after a victory against them at Cheriton Road in November.

“We were very good that night,” recalled Drury. “We only won 2-1 but that could - and should - have been a lot more.

“They might want a bit of revenge but Dulwich is always a hard place to go. You need to manage the crowd and manage the game.

“But we have got the players to be able to do that.”

Defender Nathan Green (knee) and midfielder Sam Blackman (hamstring) are closing in on returns to fitness.

Winger Tyler Anderson has left Folkestone for Isthmian South East strugglers Phoenix Sports in search of regular first-team football.

Forward Khale Da Costa has joined Potters Bar on a one-month loan and young defender Joel Odeniran has rejoined Herne Bay on loan.