Sittingbourne joint-manager Jim Ward wants a no-nonsense defender to complete their squad for the new season.

Money is tight so Ward is hoping their record for helping players progress will help clinch a key signing.

Ward (pictured) said: "We’re looking a threat but we need to find a big, hairy centre-half to do all the ugly things.

"The main point I make when I’m talking to someone is the number of players we’ve had who’ve gone on to bigger and better things. Players like Lee Minshull, who I had at Ramsgate and went on to play in the Football League with AFC Wimbledon.

"If they start arguing over 10 or 20 quid a week, then I don’t want them anyway."

Right-back Kane Harrington became the eighth player to sign a contract at Bourne Park when he put pen to paper after the 1-1 friendly draw against Aveley on Saturday.

He is set to be joined by former Chatham and VCD keeper Adam Molloy.

Ward has brought in an extra pair of hands on the training ground with the arrival of Perry Gough as first-team coach.

He helped Leatherhead win promotion to the Ryman League, Premier Division a year ago and works for the Surrey club’s academy.

There is encouraging news on the injury front with Simon Pettit’s Achilles tendon damage not as bad as first feared, although he still faces a battle to play this season.

"It’s badly detached rather than snapped," said Ward. "The main thing for the next few weeks is to avoid an infection."

Fans are invited to a meet the players session at Bourne Park on Thursday from 7pm while Sittingbourne travel to Chatham for their final pre-season friendly on Saturday (3pm).