Kane Haysman is reaping the rewards of playing centrally, according to Herne Bay manager Steve Lovell.

The one-time Gillingham attacking midfielder was again on target off the substitutes’ bench - after arriving late as he got stuck in traffic problems - in last weekend’s 3-2 Isthmian South East home win over Littlehampton.

It took his tally to 12 goals for the season while top scorer Mike Salako and midfielder Scott Heard were also on target.

While the 29-year-old is more than happy to play wherever he’s asked, Lovell thinks it’s clear to see where he’s most effective.

He said: “It’s about playing him in the positions where he should play.

“If you ask him to play anywhere, he’ll do it because he’s so versatile.

“But we need to play him more centrally - either as a No.10 or up front - and he’ll always get you a goal. That’s where his goal came from on Saturday.

Bay player makes team-of-the-week

“He came on up top and took his goal well.”

Haysman replaced striker Lauric Diakiesse on the hour against Littlehampton, with midfielder Freddie Oliver also having joined Bay. They made their respective debuts in Boxing Day’s 1-1 draw at Deal.

Haysman broke the deadlock in the fifth minute at the Charles Sports Ground, only for ex-Herne Bay man Rory Smith to equalise for Steve King’s side before half-time.

“I had Lauric at Ramsgate,” said Lovell, who has also re-signed young defender Joel Odeniran this week. “He’s a good lad.

“He holds the ball up well, he’s a good runner and he’s 100 per cent committed. He just gives us another dimension.

“With Kane Rowland being out over the Christmas period, we needed a centre-forward to come in, really, and take his place.

“He has done a good job. It’s nice to have him there.

“It’s good to have Freddie, as well. He has settled into the midfield.

“He sits in the middle and allows Ethan Smith and Heardy to do what they’re good at, going forwards.”

But Oliver, formerly of Dover, is only expected to be back in the UK from a football scholarship in the United States for around another month - so he’s unlikely to be plying his trade at Winch’s Field for too long.

Lovell admitted: “It’s a short-term thing.

“But we didn’t have Alfie [Hill] over the Christmas period so it’s just one where it works for all parties.

“It works for him. It keeps him fit over the Christmas period and works for us, and fills a gap.

“I think he’s perhaps here until the end of January and we’ll assess it again then.”

Victory for Lovell’s team over Littlehampton highlighted the importance of having a fully fit squad to pick from.

“We had to make a couple of changes because there was an accident on the motorway so three of our players didn’t get there for kick-off,” said Lovell. “So, we had to change it around a little bit at the last minute but all of them played well.

“It makes a difference when you get your squad back. When you’ve got all your players back, when something like that happens, you’re not too concerned because you know you have got your full squad back.

“It’s nice to know that everybody is there or thereabouts.”

Herne Bay, languishing just above the relegation zone in 16th, have a tough start to the new year.

They host play-off occupants Margate on New Year's Day before a trip to play-off chasing Erith Town on Saturday (both 3pm).

Lovell said: “We tend to do better against the better sides.

“We’ll just try and give it a good go.”