Stuart King is poised for a surprise return to Herne Bay.

The club’s former prolific striker, who hasn’t played since leaving Whitstable earlier this season, is set to have talks with boss Sam Denly.

King’s third spell at Winch’s Field will co-incide with Ian Pulman’s departure after only four games in a Bay shirt.

Bay’s reduced budget seems to be the reason, with Denly saying: “Ian and I had chat about things.

“He says he won’t be going elsewhere because of work and spending time with his family but I am sure a few clubs will be interested in him.

“If what is happening at the club means we only lose Pully and Danny Walder, I will be pleased.”

He added: “I am due to meet Stuart as soon as possible to complete the signing but it’s too early to say whether he will be involved at the weekend.

“We have been talking for a while. I let him go last time but we have known each other for a long-time.

"He wants to come back and be involved, helping us out when he can and will be a great asset.”

King hinted at a possible return to the game last month when he tweeted: "Might be time to come out of retirement."

Denly was delighted with the point earned by Michael Turner’s last-gasp equaliser in the 2-2 draw at Sittingbourne on Tuesday and will be looking to follow it up with a win over bottom club Godalming who visit on Saturday (3pm).

He said: “I wanted at least four points from the two games and they will come to us in confident mood on the back of beating Guernsey 3-0.

“It was a good game of football and a point was nothing more than we deserved.”

Gary Sayer’s straight red card inside the opening half-hour tested Bay’s resilience, a decision Denly didn’t agree with.

He said: “I thought it was harsh. Gary got the ball but was sent off for a last-man challenge.

“However, the way we played, you wouldn’t know we only had 10 men.”

Bay’s game at Chipstead on Saturday, called off around an hour before kick-off on Saturday, due to a snow-covered pitch. has been re-arranged for next Tuesday. (7.45pm)