Kingstonian boss Alan Dowson has finally cut ties with winger Dean Lodge having admitted he is still to prove himself at Ryman League Premier Division level.

Lodge appears set to sign for Blue Square Premier Grays Athletic having had a doomed spell at Northwich Victoria last season which was sandwiched between stints with Ks that helped them to the Ryman League Division One South title.

Dowson has been impressed with the way former Staines Town winger Lewis Cook has settled in at the club leaving little room for a return for the former QPR trainee.

And the Kingsmeadow chief reckons that while he would welcome Lodge back should things not work out, he is not prepared to wait for the former Ks player of the year.

“I can’t do anything more than offer him a new deal. He has chosen to go and trial elsewhere and that is his decision. I want players who are committed to this club,” he said.

“Last year I was a Ryman South manager and was desperate to have a player like him in my side because he was an excellent player at that level.

“Now we’re in the Premier Division I’m not so sure. You don’t chase players as much because there are plenty of players with proven quality to look at.

“It is up to Lodgy to prove himself where ever he goes and wish him all the best, but we have moved on. Lodgy did well last year, but he always struggled to put a cross in. Lewis is looking like he can do that and more.”

Star strikers Bobby Traynor, with his fourth goal in three pre-season games, and Carl Wilson-Denis picked up where they left off last season in finding the scoresheet in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Woking.

The pair were the deadliest duo in Division One South last season and Dowson has every confidence they will deliver much of the same this coming campaign, which kicks-off at Ashford Town on August 15.

“People say to me Bobby will struggle at this level, but having seen him score two against Blue Square South opposition, you know he’ll score goals wherever he is,” he added.

“They were the best two in Division One South and they will be the best in the Premier this year, there is no doubt about that.

“We’ve got three weeks to go. We are not getting carried away. Results don’t matter at this stage. It is all about being ready for Ashford Town.”

Goalkeeper Luke Garrard, defender Max Hustwick, midfielder Tom Williams and midfielder Liam Collins, all signed deals to keep them at Kingsmeadow for another season at the weekend