Pablo Asensio is on the lookout for new recruits after confirming the departure of another player from Whitehawk.

Centre-back Paul Lorraine has left the club after struggling to regain form after returning from a long-term knee injury.

Confirmation that he has left the club comes days after Whitehawk sold fans’ favourite Sam Deering to Vanarama National League south rivals Ebbsfleet United.

Lorraine joined Whitehawk from Ebbsfleet, where he had been captain, in the summer of 2014 but suffered a season-ending injury just four weeks into the season in a game away to Bath City.

He finally returned in November after 14 months out but has struggled with fitness and form and now leaves after a total of just 15 games for Whitehawk.

Asensio told The Argus: “Paul Lorraine is so professional. He has decided to stop playing for this season and is going to get himself sharp for next season.”

The Hawks boss has made it clear he would like to add another centre-back to his squad, particularly now that Juan Cruz Gotta has joined Jordan Rose on the injury list.

Gotta missed Saturday’s defeat at home to Bishop’s Stortford with a calf injury and remains a doubt for tonight’s rearranged match with Hayes and Yeading at the Enclosed Ground.

Asensio only had 12 senior players fit for selection on Saturday and that included Nick Arnold who is struggling with a hip problem.

Rose and Craig Braham-Barrett remain sidelined by hamstring injuries.

Danny Stevens was absent against Bishop’s Stortford with an unconfirmed injury while Jake Robinson missed out with a hamstring injury but hopes to return this evening.

Hawks are still looking for their first win under Asensio, who recently replaced Steven King.

Since taking over Hawks have taken one point out of nine in the league, as well as losing to Worthing on penalties in the semi-final of the Parafix Sussex Senior Cup.

Saturday’s defeat left them just two points above the relegation zone, albeit with games in hand.

They will see Hayes and Yeading, the team immediately below them in the table, as an opportunity to get back on track.