GLEN Alzapiedi has confirmed he will be staying on as manager at Canvey for next season’s Ryman Premier campaign.

Jeff King’s return to the club as a director towards the end of last season prompted speculation about a possible change of manager, and Alzapiedi admitted himself his future at the club would be sorted out in the summer.

But the former Ware manager, who led the Gulls to a county cup win after taking over from John Batch in January, has now confirmed he will be in charge for next season.

He said: “There were a few things to iron out but everything is agreed now and I’ll be the manager here for next season and I’m very happy with that.

“And we start again in three weeks and I’m looking forward to getting back to it because I do miss it all during the summer months.”

Alzapiedi also confirmed that Andre Foster will now get the chance to make the Canvey goalkeeper’s spot his own following the departure of James Russell to Boreham Wood.

“Andre has been a patient understudy to James and he will now get the chance to make that position his own,” said Alzapiedi.

“We have always been lucky to have another very good keeper in reserve and I think the squad will expect Andre to now be given his chance.”

Alzapiedi confirmed he has been working closely with director of football Batch to identify new players, but said no announcements would be made until contracts have been signed.

But with the departures of defender Steve Ward and Michael Alaile, Alzapiedi admits he’d like to bring in three new players to boost their options at the back.

He said he’s pretty happy with his midfield cover, although he’d like to find a player who can play centrally and out wide, and also a “versatile attacking player”.

Canvey start their pre-season programme away to Bowers & Pitsea on July 14, and end it at home to Heybridge Swifts on August 11.

They are also away to Witham Town (July 17), and have home games with Billericay (July 21), Chelmsford City (July 24), AFC Hornchurch (July 28) and Harlow Town (August 4).