Contract talks have already started at Hythe Town and manager Sam Denly is also speaking with transfer targets.

With only six games left and the Cannons 11 points off the play-offs in Bostik South East, it’s all about planning for next season.

Denly wants his squad in place as early as possible and he said: “I’ve started those conversations.

“We’ll keep working hard, trying to win games, and we want to finish the season as strong as we can because we’ve got one eye on next year as well.

“We’ve got a lot of players, hopefully, committed and we can start building for next season.

“It’s been a frustrating year but I’ve spoken to the committee about next season.

“I’m in players’ ears now. The lads I’ve got and want to keep I’m speaking to, and I’m speaking to players from outside the club as well.

“You need to get in early, I want to get my business done as quickly as I can and I think we’ve got a strong nucleus now. It’s about adding in and around that.”

Hythe were held to a 2-2 draw on Saturday by a Ramsgate side who finished with only nine men.

That means it’s just one win in five for the Cannons, who look certain to remain in Bostik South East for another season.

Denly said: “We’re an honest bunch and we know we haven’t achieved what we set out to do. We are working hard but it’s been a frustrating season.

“We’re not a million miles away, that’s very evident, but we’ve dropped some poor points against teams we really shouldn’t and it’s cost us.

“But as much as frustration is the overriding feeling of most people, including myself, it’s also known that if we stick at it, we’ve got a very good core group of players now.

“If we can stay together and add a little bit more quality, we’re going to improve and be better this time next year.”

Hythe visit resurgent Sittingbourne on Saturday. The Brickies have won five of their last six matches under manager Chris Lynch, who took over from Aslan Odev in January.

Denly said: “They’ve been going well since Chris went there and it’s good to see. They were top of the form guide a week or two ago so it’ll be another difficult game.

“Sittingbourne have a lot of young players and they’ve gelled well. They’re working hard for Chris and we’ll have to be at our best.”

Charlie Webster returns this weekend but goalkeeper George Kamurasi is still struggling with a knee injury.

Meanwhile, Joey Taylor is away on international duty with Montserrat.