Clive Cook says in-form Alfie May has all the attributes to play in the Football League – but he’s hoping he can fire Hythe on an FA Cup run first.

The forward hit four goals as the Cannons won 6-3 at Corinthian Casuals on Saturday, taking his tally to six in the past three games and eight for the Ryman League, Division 1 South season.

May was one of several players who Cook ‘wrapped in cotton wool’ and left out for last Tuesday night’s 3-0 League Cup first round defeat at Faversham but is sure to be the first name on the team sheet for Saturday’s visit of Walton Casuals in the FA Cup second qualifying round at Reachfields (3pm).

The Town boss admitted: “He’s playing well – teams surely have to know by now they can’t afford to give a player of his ability chances.”

The 23-year-old arrived at Hythe 12 months ago after scoring 41 goals the previous season for Erith & Belvedere and 23 at Chatham the season before and in February signed a deal until the end of this season.

Cook added: “He’s on a contract so him going is not something we’re worried about. If something were to happen, then I’d think of it as a case of us having done our job for him and him having done his job for us.

"He’s still a young lad and he has massive attributes – he lives, breathes, eats and drinks football.

“People will be looking as he’s scoring goals but I think teams are put off by his size.

“If he were to go anywhere we’d want it to be the right club for his development. We’d be looking for it to be Conference South or Premier, although I have no doubt he’s good enough to go further. He deserves everything good that comes his way.”

League rivals Walton Casuals head to Kent on Saturday with £4,500 in prize money at stake as well as a place in the next round of the Cup.

Cook said: “It’s a big game for both clubs and it should be an intriguing contest.

“I always feel that if we can do the right things at the back, then we have enough up top to win games.”

He added: “I was fortunate enough to have been involved in the Cup run (in 2010-11) when we got to the first round and I want the boys to achieve the same things.”

Dave Cook (calf) and Josh Burchell (groin) are set to return with Cook able to choose from a full squad.