Sittingbourne manager Nick Davis hopes loyalty will count for more than money.

Davis, whose side's League Cup dreams ended with a 3-0 semi-final defeat by Faversham on Tuesday night, is braced for interest in some of his best young players this summer.

But having worked hard to build a squad with the likes of George Crimmen, Jack Steventon and Conrad Lee, Davis is determined to keep them together.

He said: “These young lads are going to get better and better.

“They will be stronger for playing so many games and that will stand them in good stead next season.

“I think there will be interest from other clubs.

“People know we don’t pay a hell of a lot and there are clubs out there who will be able to throw more at them.

“But we’ve given people a chance when they perhaps weren’t playing at other clubs and hopefully they will be loyal back.

“They’re all good lads and they’ve enjoyed themselves here, which counts for a lot.”

Sittingbourne host East Grinstead at Woodstock on Saturday (3pm).