Sittingbourne boss Aslan Odev believes they are well positioned to fend off interest for some of their star players.

Kane Rowland, Chris Webber and Tom Loynes are among those who are likely to be getting offers from elsewhere this summer.

Odev would love to keep the team together, after ending the 2017/18 campaign on a high.

He said: “I would be very happy to keep what I have got and just add a bit of extra quality around it. I need to make sure any new players can make a difference.

“There won’t be anything groundbreaking or a big overhaul. We finished the season strongly and it’s just about improving.

“I am trying to get the players to stay and it’s about seeing what their plans are and where their heads are at. Our number one aim is to keep the team together as best that we can and see where we go.

“They have all given me a 'yes, I’d love to stay', but it’s a long pre-season, I know that.

“I think we can compete. Our budget is good. I am aware of what others in the league have and we have to combat that as best we can.

"We do it through our coaching and our ethos, we have got plenty of selling points, along with the fans who are the best in the league.

"We’ll do all in our powers to tackle any big-money offers and keep the players we want to.”