A winger has joined Whitstable on dual-registration from the Isthmian South East leaders.

Ramsgate teenager Sammi Takaloo, son of ex-Rams and Maidstone goal machine Mo Takaloo - who himself played for Whitstable - comes in ahead of their home derby on Tuesday against Southern Counties East Premier Division basement boys Canterbury City.

Whitstable boss Marcel Nimani said: “He fits the bill with the wingers we like.

“He’s young, energetic and passionate. He has got experience of the league above.

“I spoke to the Ramsgate manager, Steve Lovell. We had a good chat. Sammi’s come in on dual-registration.

“He just fits with the strengths of the wingers we have already got.”

Takaloo could help fill a void in midfield vacated by Jordan Wells, who is to serve a three-match suspension after the appeal against his sending-off in the loss to Deal earlier this month was dismissed.

Nimani, whose side will host Faversham in a friendly tonight (7.45pm kick-off), confirmed: “We appealed Jordan Wells’ red-card decision.

“In my nine years of non-league football, it’s the first time I felt very strongly against the decision. We were disappointed the Kent FA stuck to the decision.

“But the other two lads, Will Thomas and Josh Oliver, are back and we have signed Sammi.

“He will be available for the Canterbury game and we are looking at two trialists on Thursday.

“[Assistant manager] Darren Beale at Faversham is a good friend of mine. We booked that quite early on.”

Opponents City may be at the foot of the table but Nimani - still yet to win a competitive home fixture with ninth-placed Whitstable - will not be underestimating them.

He said: “Their league status doesn’t really reflect the team and their qualities.

“They’re a competitive side and a young side. They’re a technical side so they will thrive on our 3G surface.”

They met at Woodstock in August, with Whitstable winning 3-0.

They were due to visit Lordswood last Saturday and, while that league match was postponed, the Oystermen’s reserves beat Rochester City 4-0 at home through braces by Frankie Williams and Alex Kokoshi.

“It was frustrating because we had a good week of training,” Nimani admitted.

“We put in a lot of effort, we were ready to take the challenge on. It goes to show the importance of 3G pitches although, having said that, some games on 3Gs were off.

“But our reserves were on. For the future, I think 3Gs are really crucial.”

Nimani has been frustrated by a lack of midweek matches, with the club already out of the FA Cup, FA Vase and Kent Senior Trophy before he took the helm in October.

He feels some of those cup competitions could start later in the campaign to ensure clubs have plenty to play for throughout the season.

“I think it’s something for the league or authorities to assess,” he said.

Whitstable remain in the Challenge Cup, though, and will host Bearsted on Tuesday, January 10.

Their league trips to Holmesdale and Lordswood have been rearranged for January 21 and February 11, respectively.