Striker David Smith will make a major impact at Margate, insists manager Andy Drury.

Smith has joined on loan from Bromley for the rest of the season and made his debut off the bench on Friday night in their Isthmian Premier home goalless draw with Billericay.

The 23-year-old penned a two-year contract with the National League outfit in the summer, having scored 35 goals last season for Folkestone, but he spent the start of this campaign on loan at Hornchurch.

“Smithy came in last week. It’s a deal the club were working on for a few weeks,” said Drury, who played alongside Smith last season at Cheriton Road.

“The chairman [Ricky Owen] and the board have done really well to get him.

"I’m sure he will get goals. He hasn’t played a lot at the moment but I’m sure he’ll kick on.

“Friday night, he didn’t get in the game too much but, to be fair, we were a little under the cosh. But he will get goals for us.”

• Gate player makes team-of-the-week

Margate have been dealt a blow with defender Taylor Fisher not due to play again this year due to a shoulder injury sustained against Billericay.

Drury said: “We have got a few knocks. Taylor Fisher is going to be out for two or three months.

“It’s disappointing for the lad. He was about to kick on, in my opinion.

"But I’m sure he’ll come back before the end of the season and do well. Troy Howard is out and Ade Cole is still suspended, but we still have a decent squad.

“We have brought in Alex Addai as well. Hopefully he will step up in the next few games.”

Goalkeeper Daniel Jinadu is also impressing at Hartsdown Park and was named player-of-the-match on Friday.

Drury said: “Dan did very well. He’s a young keeper, he has not played a great deal of first-team football.

"I think the lad just needs to play men’s football.”

Next up for Margate is a trip to Potters Bar this Saturday (1pm). They lost manager Sammy Moore to Isthmian South East strugglers Faversham last week.

But when asked if now was a good time to be playing them, Drury replied: “It can be.

“I think they have lost a couple of players - but that’s it, I’m not sure if there will be any more.

“But they are, obviously, up there for a reason and they will be a decent team.”

Margate host Bowers & Pitsea on Tuesday night.

Midfielder Cameron Brodie has extended his loan from Dartford for another one-month period while defender Lewis Knight will stay on loan at Enfield a further three months until February 2023.