Nikki Bull is hoping to agree a deal with Leyton Orient to bring goalkeeper Charlie Grainger to Hartsdown Park on a season-long loan.

Grainger, who turns 20 at the end of the month, played in the 1-1 draw against AFC Wimbledon on Saturday and Bull is due to talk to the east London club this week.

He said: “I have a good relationship with Orient through their goalkeeping coach Martin Brennan who I worked with at Wycombe.

“We used Sam Sargeant their other young keeper against Herne Bay last week and Charlie came in on Saturday.

“He has got a great physique, kicks the ball well and ticks all the boxes.

“He is desperate to be a No.1 but wants to play games.

“It would be better for him to come to our level and play 40-50 matches for us, rather than sit on the bench or be third choice.

“I will be speaking to Orient this week but if it doesn’t happen we’ll move on. I have a couple of other options.

“Other keepers I had been talking to and who had hoped to get fixed up with league clubs are starting to ring me up and people will start to panic.”

Bull was also planning to talk to striker Marcel Barrington who got a run-out as substitute against Wimbledon, and scored both goals in the 2-0 win over Faversham at Hartsdown on Tuesday. Faversham also missed a penalty.

Bull was pleased with the performance against the League 2 play-off winners AFC Wimbledon, in a game which attracted a crowd of more than 700 to Hartsdown Park.

He said: “There has been steady improvement game-by-game, but it is still very much a fitness exercise.

“The desire and work-rate of the boys has been different class.

“It is a whole new squad, players who are demanding more of each other.

“I always think a strong will and skill are a good combination and these boys want to win and also have the mentality, desire and hunger which is good enough for me.”

One blow for Bull is the news that winger Matthias Fanimo is set to miss the start of the season with a damaged Achilles.

Gate beat Faversham Town 2-0 at Hartsdown Park on Tuesday night.

They entertain Leatherhead on Saturday (3pm).