Sittingbourne have let several players go after refreshing the squad following an early-season injury crisis.

The Brickies have released Skye Salmon, Samson Uwandu and Noor Mbaza Samuel, while Kieron Agbebi has joined AFC Greenwich Borough on dual-registration.

George Rees, meanwhile, has returned to Bromley at the end of his loan spell.

Sittingbourne appear to be over their injury problems, with midfielder Luke Woodward set to return for this Saturday’s home game against Steyning Town.

And with the recent arrival of defender Edgar Junior Velasquez alongside midfielder Jay Beckford and striker Mitch May, back for their second and third spells respectively, manager Reece Prestedge has streamlined the squad.

“With the injuries we’ve had, we’ve had to bring players in, and that means moving others on,” said Prestedge.

“We thank all the players for their efforts.

“Unfortunately, it’s part and parcel of football at this time of the season. You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.”

The squad appears to be where Prestedge wants it as Sittingbourne prepare to meet Steyning at Woodstock.

And that will be crucial as the Brickies look to establish themselves in the Isthmian South East top seven.

They were flying in the opening weeks, winning five and drawing one of their first six games, before injuries took hold.

It’s time to go on another run in a competitive division.

Prestedge said: “It’s a starting 16 once everyone’s fit, and I think you need that if you’re pushing for the top seven spots because the league is definitely stronger, definitely more competitive, and there’s no teams you can have a bad mindset against.

“You’ve got to give credit to every team that’s pushing because you want to be in a competitive league.

“That’s probably why it’s more competitive this year because you’ve got the two extra play-off places and anything can happen on those days. It’s definitely a league to keep your eye on.

“We’re in a better place at the moment. It’s always good to have options. When you’re missing six or seven, as we were at one stage, it’s hard to get any momentum or consistency when you have to keep chopping and changing personnel.

“Hopefully we can find some consistency ourselves.

“We had a good start, five wins and one draw, which went the opposite way after the injuries.

“Playing Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday didn’t help, of course, because if it’s later down the line, you’re going Saturday-Saturday, so it fell upon us at the wrong time.”

Sittingbourne ended a four-game winless run by coming from a goal down to win 3-1 at Cray Valley on Saturday.

Harvey Smith levelled from the penalty spot, Khavarn Williams edged the visitors in front and May scored the first goal of his latest spell.

“We needed a reaction,” said Prestedge. “We worked on a lot of stuff at training, we had a few players back, and we gave a good account of ourselves.”

Velasquez, Beckford and May all made a difference, and have undoubtedly strengthened the Brickies.

Prestedge said: “I’ve always liked Jay. I think he’s a very good talent, a very good creator, and very tidy on the ball.

“It was a good fit to get him back and the same with Mitch, whose goalscoring record is up there.

“Jay’s come from the league above, so it puts us in good stead, the same with Edgar Junior, who’s come in from Enfield Town, and he was excellent on Saturday.

“I think everyone played well. Everyone stood up and was accountable, which is what you want.

“You want players that are going to be committed to the cause and make you better.”

Dexter Peter scored an injury-time equaliser in a 3-3 draw at Herne Bay on Tuesday night as Sittingbourne moved up to seventh place.

Beckford and skipper Bagasan Graham, on his return from suspension, gave the Brickies a 2-1 lead after trailing to a Josh Ajayi goal.

Ajayi levelled and ex-Brickies loanee Ade Azeez made it 3-2 to Bay but Peter rescued a point.