Sam Denly has hailed the contribution of striker Stuart King as outstanding.

The 27-year-old striker’s hat-trick in the 3-3 draw at Worthing last Wednesday took his tally for the season to 14, inspiring Herne Bay’s second-half comeback after they had been 3-0 down at the break.

Denly said: “It was a trademark hat-trick by Kingy and he admitted himself he could have had five or six on the night. I know that scoring goals like he does will attract interest from other clubs but we haven’t had any enquiries for him.

“If a club came in for him from higher up he would go with my blessing. He is a top player and I think we have been too reliant on him so far this season.”

Bay face a lunchtime Ryman League, Division 1 South date at Guernsey on Saturday, with the squad staying at Gatwick overnight on Friday tomorrow (Friday), before flying at 8.30am the following morning ahead of the 1pm kick-off.

The Channel Island club, who reached the play-offs last season, are currently in mid-table and Denly said: “They are as inconsistent as we are but it’s all about what we do.”

Ben Brown misses the trip, serving the second of a three-match ban, while Denly will check on the fitness of defender Connor Sanders (ankle) and Jordan Casey (hamstring).

Meanwhile, Jamie Turner had surgery on his long-term ankle injury on Tuesday and Denly hopes he will be fit to return in the new year.