Joe Tyrie looks set for a “considerable” spell at Sittingbourne after rejoining on loan from Tonbridge.

Centre-back Tyrie made 17 appearances for the Brickies in his first spell with the club last season, winning plenty of admirers.

The youngster, a product of Tonbridge’s academy, is highly rated by Jay Saunders, manager of the National League South club.

Regular football in Isthmian South East at Sittingbourne will help his development and the Brickies are delighted to have him back.

“Joe’s an excellent player,” said manager Ryan Maxwell.

“A big thanks to Jay Saunders for allowing him to come back.

“A few clubs would have taken Joe but Joe wanted to come back here, which was brilliant.

“He did fantastically well for us last year.

“There’s a real player in there - he just needs game time.

“We’ll look after him and help him develop and hopefully at the end of it, he’ll become a Tonbridge regular.

“He’s more than capable of doing that.

“While he’s here, he can refine his craft and we’ll help with that.

“He’s with us for a good, considerable amount of time. There’s no immediate call-back.

“Jay’s leaving him with us for a number of months, unless they have an emergency, which means we can build with Joe in the team and Joe can get his head down and make the most of the time he’s got here.

“I know Jay very well (they were team-mates at Gravesend) and we can be transparent with each other.

“He knows it’s no good to me if we’ve only got Joe for a few weeks.

“We need him for a proper amount of time so we can start gelling the team and getting people used to each other.

“To do that, we need him for a few months.

“We’ll make sure he goes back a better player for Jay.”

Sittingbourne continued preparations for the new season with goals from Alfie Bloomfield and Josh Osude in a 2-1 win at Isthmian Premier Margate on Saturday.

The Brickies impressed at Hartsdown Park, five days on from a 1-0 home defeat by Swale rivals Faversham.

Maxwell, who spoke last week about plans to reduce his squad, is set to cut numbers before tonight’s home friendly against Bromley under-23s.

“Margate was the last opportunity for people to cement places with us this season,” said Maxwell, speaking on Monday morning.

“Four will go out on dual-registration elsewhere or be given an opportunity to find another club.

“They were very tough decisions.

“There’s no one you look at and say they’re definitely not up to it. That’s certainly not the case.

“We’re really fortunate we’ve gathered 20 very good players for the level.

“That’s why we’ve given them every opportunity to play, so we can make sure we’re making the right decisions, not just for us but for them as well.

“I’m conscious of time, with people trying to find another club.

“It’s been very competitive.

“They were told they were competing against themselves first, to stay in the squad, and it’s not been easy.

“But such is football, you make these decisions and you live or die by them.”

Dual-registration would be the best outcome, allowing players to join clubs at lower levels, without losing them altogether.

Maxwell said: “I’m not concerned at losing them to clubs in our league, it’s more a case that I’d like to continue working with them.

“And if they want to stay here, the option for them to get game time is to go out on dual-reg and play in the league below.

“We’re having conversations with clubs who are interested in having them as their player for a month or two, which I’m happy to facilitate.

“I don’t want to say thanks but no thanks to anyone because some of these players are quite young and the best is still to come.

“All they need is game time but right now we probably can’t have too many of the same type of player.”

Sittingbourne play their penultimate friendly at Bishop’s Stortford this Saturday (3pm).

The Hertfordshire club were placed in National League North after winning the Isthmian Premier title last season and will be strong opponents.

“It’ll be a tough one on Saturday,” said Maxwell.

“I know them extremely well.

“They’ll be physical, organised and fit, and if we can match them I’ll be a very happy man.”

Sittingbourne host a Gillingham XI in their final friendly at Woodstock on Tuesday (7.45pm).