Hythe Town are now being talked about as contenders for automatic promotion.

Having only finished outside the Bostik South play-offs on goal-difference this season, manager Sam Denly has set about strengthening his squad to make sure the Cannons don't miss out again.

This week he added defender Ben Gorham to a list of new signings which also includes goalkeeper George Kamurasi, midfielder Jack Sammoutis and striker Junior Aikhionbare.

And with the likes of Chris Kinnear, Mitchell Dickenson, Kieron Campbell and Mitchell Chapman signed up for another season at Reachfields, the prospects for Hythe are unquestionably bright.

Denly said: "We're looking to compete and we feel we should be up there. A lot of people are talking about us winning leagues.

"A lot of it is about the quality we've got and how we finished last season.

"It's a compliment and the boys have got to be able to take that. We dealt with pressure for three months when I came in last year.

"I think they've got broad enough shoulders and I certainly know the management team and I have.

"We want that pressure, we want to be competing. I want to be managing a club that's got ambition and players to match that."

"With the squad we've got, we certainly need to be challenging for promotion whether that's automatic or play-offs."

Denly expects to clinch the signature of another key member of his 2017-18 squad this week.

The arrival of Gorham, meanwhile, follows Ryan Johnson's decision to leave the club this summer.

Denly said: "Losing RJ, I wanted more strength in depth at the back. Ben's a very good centre-half who's reaching his peak.

"I watched him a few times last year and thought he was excellent. He knows the level well.

"Greenwich Borough had been on at him for a while and Ramsgate might also have made a few offers so he had a few clubs chasing his signature but I know Ben well. He's a good, honest lad and he likes what we're trying to do down at Hythe.

"There may be a few more coming in but I've got business done pretty early and I don't need to be ringing around any more.

"I've brought the players in I wanted but I'm sure there will be a bit of movement even during pre-season.

"A few players will become available. I wouldn't say I'm finished but I'm not actively searching for players."

Hythe are trying to arrange a pre-season friendly away from home on Saturday, July 28.

Contact club secretary Martin Giles on 07908 763101.