Manager Andy Drury has used an early-season break from competitive action to freshen up Folkestone’s midfield.

With Sam Blackman back from a loan spell and the vastly-experienced Jack Jebb nearing a long-awaited return to full fitness after his summer arrival, Drury has released former Gillingham youngster Josh Chambers and fellow midfielder Matt Young.

Drury explained: “They have had a few games this season.

“I don’t know if it is a bit harsh, but we just had to balance the squad. We couldn’t go into games with seven or eight midfielders and no forwards on the bench.

“It’s just one of the decisions that you have to make as a manager.

“With the midfield we have got - Amadou Kassarate, Eze Ebuzoeme and Rancey (Dean Rance) back and Jack Jebb nearly fit - I just felt it was going to be tough for them to get in.

“We just needed to balance it off and we’ll need to get a couple of forwards.”

Blackman worked alongside Drury at Margate and his boss is hopeful of seeing his best form after a productive stint at Hythe.

“When we sent Blacky out, we looked at that league and kind of knew that Hythe had a lot of games,” said Drury. “They were out of the FA Cup, as well, which helped.

“He’s had seven games for them. The reports we were getting back were that he was doing well.

“If we can get him back to the player he was a year or two ago, he will be good for us.”

One-time Arsenal youngster Jebb, 29, is another closing in on a return after a lengthy injury lay-off.

Drury noted: “Jebby did one 45 minutes and one 30 minutes for us in pre-season. But he has trained for two weeks and this is going to be his third back.

“He’s going to need game-time to get up to speed but you can see in training already just what he’ll bring. In my opinion, we have got the best midfield in the league.

“That will be a big bonus when we have got that back and everyone firing.”

With Isthmian Premier Invicta out of the FA Cup, they opted to do some exercising of a different kind at the weekend.

Drury revealed: “The boys did a bit of team-bonding. They went paintballing.

“They did that on Saturday and we’ll be training again this week.”

Folkestone also learnt the outcome of a meeting to determine whether their abandoned match at Wingate & Finchley should be replayed last week, the Isthmian Premier game called off after a head injury to the hosts’ keeper, Prince Adegoke, with the score at 3-3 in the 83rd minute.

It’s been decided the result will stand - a decision Drury isn’t happy with.

He said: “There’s nothing we can do about it.

“I have no doubt we would have won the game, with them down to 10 men and an outfield player going in goal.

“But there’s nothing we can do about it now.

“It just sums up our luck so far this season.”

Invicta will return to competitive action after a two-week break at home to Hendon - beaten 3-0 at Isthmian South East Herne Bay in the FA Cup last weekend - on Saturday in the league.

They will be without Tom Derry as the forward begins a three-game ban after his red card in their 3-0 home loss against Billericay earlier this month.

On Hendon’s defeat at Winch’s Field, Drury said: “I have watched the game back.

“I think, on their day, they’re a match for anyone. Herne Bay had three chances and scored three goals - a bit like when we played Billericay, really. They just took their chances.

“But it will be difficult for us.

“People always raise their game when they play against us, with the players we have got.”

Invicta will welcome Phoenix Sports to Cheriton Road in the Kent Senior Cup first round on Tuesday.

Folkestone are looking for chefs to join their growing team at The Dugout Sports Bar & Kitchen at Cheriton Road.

Email operations@folkestoneinvictafc.co.uk to apply or for more details.