By Kevin Redsull

It's been a busy week for Whitstable Town manager Peter Nott, who has signed three players while seeing Gareth Cornhill leave the club to join Ramsgate.

Nott has boosted his attacking options by signing Hythe Town striker Gary Mickelborough (pictured) and winger Aaron Robinson from Deal Town and has also persuaded Rob Lyall to come to The Belmont on his return to the county from the Midlands.

Nott managed Lyall, 21, when he was in charge of Maidstone United before the central defender or midfielder went to Loughborough University to do a three-year degree course.

During his college stay, Lyall played for Quorn FC in the Evo-Stik Division 1 South and Nott said: "He’s quick, strong in the air and gets more than his fair share of goals from set pieces.

"He also has a real passion to win and I’m looking forward to working with him again."

Lyall, however, will not be able to link up with Whitstable until August 24 because he is aready committed to doing some voluntary work in Ghana and Mickelborough will also miss the start of the season.

The 25-year-old former Great Britain 400m international sprinter is having a foot operation this week which will keep him out of action until September.

Last season Mickelborough netted 12 goals for Hythe including their consolation in the 5-1 FA Cup first round defeat to Hereford – becoming the first Kent League player in 50 years to score in the opening round.