Neil Cugley is confident Scott Heard will sign a new deal at Folkestone Invicta.

The midfielder played 27 league games this season but missed the back-end of the campaign with a knee injury.

He's yet to confirm his plans for 2018-19 but the manager expects him to stay.

Cugley said: "Heardy had an operation on his knee at the weekend so hopefully we'll have a bit of news about that shortly.

"They opened it up to have a look and hopefully it's just a clean-out. If it is, who knows?

"Hopefully he'll be back not long after we start pre-season so that's good.

"He's not said he wouldn't be (with us). I've not really had a chance to sit down him yet but I hope so.

"We've been good to him. We had four months when we had to pay his wages so I hope he responds to that."

Jerald Aboagye's future is less certain, with the former Hythe man considering a move away from the Fullicks Stadium.

But with 14 players already on board and another new signing expected this week, Invicta are in good shape.

Cugley said: "This time last year, both my centre-halves went so we didn't know if we were coming or going but this year, we're one of the few clubs with stability.

"There are so many clubs changing managers, coaches and players, especially at our level.

"Fans obviously want to see new players and hopefully we'll have a few of them. But do they want loads of change? I don't know."