Sittingbourne are facing up to life without Roman Campbell after the young forward returned to Gillingham.

Bourne were looking to extend Campbell's loan having started the Isthmian South East season with five goals but he looks set to play higher.

Manager Chris Lynch said: "Unfortunately for us, but great for Roman, higher clubs have come in for him.

"He deserves to play at a much higher level and no doubt he'll be off on loan to a National League or National South club.

"It's a blow for us but he was always going to go and rightly so.

"You wouldn't expect anything else and you wouldn't want to hold back a player like that.

"We're grateful to have had him on loan and I wish him all the best for the future.

"He's attracted a lot of interest due to his form here.

"He knows he's always welcome back but he needs to play higher and he deserves to play higher."

Campbell first joined Sittingbourne on loan last season, scoring a number of vital goals to help them fight off relegation.

They jumped at the chance to bring him back and he quickly showed his class once more.

Lynch said: "I trusted him completely and he knew he was going to start and finish every game here because of the threat he carried.

"He's repaid me in terms of his attitude and performances.

"This loan probably wouldn't have happened for any other team in this league.

"It was only the fact he'd been here before, been successful and was well-loved that made it happen.

"It came up at the right time as Gills wanted to get him some games and it's worked out well for him and for us.

"We've been lucky enough to put him in the shop window and I've no doubt he'll reap the benefit."

Sittingbourne are two strikers down as Shaun Brown is due for an MRI scan on a knee injury.

Lynch is in the market for reinforcements while he's challenged Tommie Fagg to add goals to his all-round game.

Fagg was signed dual-registration with Maidstone last season and needs to start finding the net in order to progress.

Lynch said: "Every player has areas they need to develop, even Premier League players, and in Tommie's case we need to get him scoring.

"He's been playing as a No.10 and he's yet to score.

"There's no pressure on him but if he's looking to play higher, it's something he's got to add to his game.

"Once he gets the first one, I'm sure he'll bag a load more.

"He's certainly capable but that first goal is really important."

Former Brickies striker David Smith scored twice, including a last-minute winner, as Sittingbourne lost 2-1 at Ashford last night.

Lynch's side host Guernsey in a 2pm kick-off on Saturday.

Read more: The latest sports news in Kent