Whitehawk are hoping to secure Lee Hills on a new contract at the Enclosed Ground.

New manager Steven King has been impressed by the former Crystal Palace and Stevenage left-back since taking over last month.

Hills joined Hawks on a free transfer from Stevenage last November.

The 23-year-old began his career at Crystal Palace, making 47 first-team appearances as well as playing for England under-18s and under-19s where his team-mates included Jack Wilshere, Danny Welbeck and Jack Rodwell.

While King’s priority is avoiding relegation from Conference south this season, he is also looking to the future as well and views Hills as a big part of those plans.

He said: “Lee has impressed him, I like him. We are in the process to trying to sort out a new deal for him.

“We want to keep him at the club long-terms. Talks are positive so far.”

King is reshaping the squad he inherited, having already brought in Dean McDonald, Kieron Forbes and Jason St Juste.

Loick Pires has become the second of the five players signed on loan by caretaker boss Colin Reid to be allowed to leave.

Another, defender Ian Gayle, will return to Dagenham and Redbridge once his one-month deal runs out this weekend.

King is considering the positions of the other two, Ashley Carew and Dominic Green, who have made more of an impact since arriving last month.

Hawks are just one place above the relegation zone, three points clear of Tonbridge Angels who have three games in hand.

King won his first two matches in charge but followed a 2-0 reverse at home to Concord Rangers last Saturday with a humbling Sussex Senior Cup exit at the hands of County League side Horsham YMCA in midweek.

He said: “It has opened my eyes how big the job is here.

“There is a lot of work to do but we mustn’t lose sight of the fact that we have had two wins out of three in the league, which is important."