Deal manager Derek Hares has been working hard to bring in fresh faces to stop his side’s slide down the table.

Deal lost their fifth game in a row - 4-0 at Erith Town on Saturday - and Hares said: "I told the players afterwards that the situation couldn’t continue and that I was going to have to do something about it.

"I’m working hard to try to change things and have been in touch with a couple of managers about getting players on loan but my hands are tied to a certain extent by the club’s financial position."

Hares laid into his side at half-time on Saturday after they went in 4-0 down and although there was an improvement in the second half, the Deal boss had already seen enough to know that changes were needed.

His side has suddenly started to leak goals at an alarming rate – 21 in the past five matches after conceding only 16 in the first 11 games of the season.

Deal take a break from Safety Net Kent League action for the next two weeks when they meet Corinthian over two legs in the first round of the Premier Division Cup.

Saturday’s first leg is at Longfield and Hares will be glad that centre-half Grant Bagley is available again after suspension but midfield duo Jack Collins (pictured) and Andy Hadden are both suspended.