Sam Denly wants to keep prolific striker Zak Ansah at Hythe Town next season.

Ansah has scored nine goals in his last seven games and is keeping the Cannons' play-off hopes alive.

Now the former Newport and Woking man has Bostik South leaders Lewes in his sights on saturday.

"He's flying," said Denly. "He gets a chance and slots and that's what you want.

"He'll get you 20 goals a season, no question. He's a class player and he knows where the back of the net is.

"He plays on the shoulder, he makes very clever runs and I just want him to do his business in the box.

"He probably dropped a little bit deep at times on Saturday, which is where I don't want him, but he wants to get on the ball and makes things happen.

"If you get a full season out of him, and I'm hoping to keep him next year, there's no question he'll get 25-30 goals.

"I've had some good strikers in my time but he's probably the best I've worked with.

"He's a fantastic talent and all the time you've got someone like that on the pitch, you've got an opportunity."

Hythe lost ground on the play-off pack at the weekend despite coming from 2-0 down to draw at Whyteleafe.

The teams immediately above them, Walton Casuals and Greenwich, won 7-0 and 8-1 respectively.

Denly said: "We've just got to stay in touch, which we are at the moment.

"A couple of wins, a couple of defeats and all of a sudden, you've got three or four games left and that's when teams can wobble.

"We've been on a great run but so have the teams above us. They're all winning games so as good as we've been, they've been just as good.

"Hopefully they slip up and if there's two or three games left and we've still got a chance, then it becomes interesting."

Denly is hoping to make one more signing before the registration deadline on Saturday.

He takes Hythe back to face his old club, Herne Bay, on Easter Monday.

"They're a good, young side," Denly said. "I've been very impressed with them.

"Obviously there's a bit of history there and we've got two difficult games over Easter.

"Saturday is one I'm really looking forward to. There's no pressure.

"We're playing the team that's been top most of the season and expecting to go up automatically so we can enjoy that game.

"Hopefully we get a good crowd in and if we play like we're capable of, there's no reason we can't get the win.

"It should be a belter, two good teams and hopefully we can put on a show."

Chris Kinnear and Henry Arnold are back after suspension and should feature against Lewes.