Ryan Maxwell cares little for reputation as the battle for places at Sittingbourne intensifies.

Boss Maxwell has added to his attacking options by signing young striker Darnell Kithambo.

The Northern Irishman has built a competitive squad over the summer but they can’t all play and, ultimately, there will be decisions to make.

Bourne were edged 1-0 by Swale rivals Faversham in a friendly last night and on Saturday visit Margate (3pm).

Maxwell wants to see what everyone’s got to offer by then.

He said: “They’ve been told they’ve got this week to show me who’s where in the pecking order.

“By the end of the Margate game, my staff and I will have an idea of what we’re looking to do for the Jersey Bulls FA Cup game (August 5). We’ll have to work towards that.

“It’s two games for people to stake a claim for their spot and I’ve told them this.

“I’d like to think I’ve created a very honest relationship.

“I’m very transparent with my players.

“It might not always be what they want to hear but at least they all know where they stand.

“If they haven’t done it, they’re told, and if they have done it, they’re told.

“They’re always told what they could do better or do more but ultimately there’s no hierarchy.

“If I’ve signed a player and he’s not performing, he won’t start. I don’t care where he’s come from or what level.

“If a boy came in on trial and signed, like big Alfie Bloomfield, and is performing well and he’s been the outstanding performer in pre-season, he’ll start the first game.

“It won’t go on previous, it’ll go on current form.

“It’s a very honest environment where people get their opportunity, and I think that’s why we’ve managed to keep quite a big squad at the moment.

“Nobody wants to go anywhere. They’re all happy to fight for their place but, ultimately, come our first league game of the season, we’ll have a squad of 16. At the moment we’ve got 20 players, so someone has to make way.

“If I were any of them, I’d make sure I’m the first name on the teamsheet and certainly not a player the management are willing to leave out of the squad.

“They know we’re a competitive team this year and maybe the alternative of where they might go, isn’t where they want to be, so they’re fighting tooth and nail to stay here.

“Everyone’s at it, the training sessions are intense and physical, which is what I want them to be, and it’s great for the competitive edge of the group.”

Kithambo, 21, had spells with Tilbury and East Thurrock before finishing last season at Coggeshall, where we played with fellow Brickies new boy Josh Osude.

He finished with 15 goals, including a number of spectacular strikes from distance.

“He’s a very explosive, very powerful lad, generally strong, and he can wallop a ball,” said Maxwell, whose side won 2-0 at Erith Town on Saturday through a Mitch May double.

“He’s tested the fingers of the goalkeepers a few times in training.

“He’s been brilliant since he came in, in terms of attitude and application.

“There’s definitely something there.

“He scored 15 last season despite not having a settled season.

“He’s got a bit to learn, which we’re happy to work with, and he’s happy to work with us.

“He’s something different to what we’ve got and it’s competition for places.

“He can play wide as well but he’s a striker who can do a little bit of everything.

“He’s already learned a couple of things since he’s been here, and he put them into practice, which shows me he’s coachable.

“It’s OK being willing and saying the right things but you’ve got to be able to transfer the information you’re given on the pitch, which is what he’s done.”

The arrival of Kithambo continues Maxwell’s policy of recruiting Essex-based players.

That potentially gives them something of an X-factor when facing Kent clubs in Isthmian South East this season.

“There’s a method to it,” said Maxwell, with Bourne hosting Cray Valley in their league opener on August 12.

“A lot of my players, people don’t know them, whereas I could tell you everything about 90% of the players in the league, having done 19 games last year and studied it in the off-season.

“There’s an unknown quantity to some of our players, which is good.

“As long as we bed them in and gel the team right, then it bodes well for us, but we all know it’s going to be a very competitive year.”

Sittingbourne host Bromley on Tuesday (7.45pm).