Highly-rated teenager Freddie Francis has joined Ashford - weeks after going on trial at Premier League Ipswich.

The Nuts & Bolts have struck a dual-registration agreement with parent club Folkestone for the 16-year-old striker.

Ashford boss Craig Stone understands there is still plenty of interest in Francis, a player he coached in the youth set-up at Gillingham.

But the youngster is in no hurry and sees value in developing his game at non-league level.

“There still is a lot of interest, I believe, but I don’t think he wants to do any of that at the minute. I think he just wants to play non-league football,” said Stone, who gave Francis his debut from the bench in a 2-0 home win over Steyning last weekend.

“He loves what he’s doing with Folkestone, and he’s come in with us and loved coming on and getting some minutes, and I think he just wants to do that.

“There’s still quite a few that have shown an interest and declared an interest.

“Some people say if the opportunity’s there, you’ve got to take it when it arises, but also I do believe if he’s playing every week he’ll find his level eventually.

“And if that’s a lot higher, I think he’s better off playing games, being seen, then he’s out there in the open for people, rather than potentially going into an academy and then maybe having to do the process again for another couple of years.

“He feels he wants to play men’s football and he’s got an opportunity to do that, and that’s the route he wants to go.

“Fair play to him. The clubs who have shown an interest, they’ll still be keen at 17/18, depending on how he develops.

“That’s down to him and his willingness and desire to be better and improve, whether that’s men’s football with us and Folkestone or whether that’s at academy level.

“He was with my son Josh’s side at Gillingham, so he’s someone I coached for a couple of years, and I know it’s all about enjoyment for him.

“He was 13/14 when I did that age group but I’ve known him since he was eight or nine because he’s always been in the same team as Josh, so I’ve known him a long time.”

The dual-registration deal offers flexibility and works well for both Ashford, who visit Merstham this Saturday (3pm), and National League South Folkestone.

Stone added: “We’re going to play it game by game and see how it works for us and whether Folkestone need him.

“It can all change very quickly. They might get a couple of injuries and need him back, or we might get a couple of players back from injury.

“If Folkestone don’t need him, we’ll use him, and vice-versa, and we’ll try and get him as many minutes as possible.”

Midfielder Will Duprey is back with Ashford after leaving Isthmian South East champions Three Bridges.

Duprey, who initially joined the Nuts & Bolts under Danny Kedwell, helped Bridges to league title and county cup success last season.

But he became available and with Ashford short in midfield following injuries to the likes of Michael West and Elliott Romain, Stone brought him back to Homelands.

He suffered a dead leg against Steyning and had to go off before half-time but is expected to make a quick return.

“To be honest, he’s always wanted to come back to us and the time was right,” said Stone. “He got bashed on the hamstring, so that was a shame, but I’m pleased to have him back.

“He’s a great size, a good athlete, he loves the club and the club love him. It made sense to get him in and we’ll see how he gets on.

“We’ve got a few missing but it’s the same for everyone.

“Every manager I’m speaking to about dual-reg players or getting players in, they’re all saying, ‘Stoney, I haven’t got any players myself’ so it’s part and parcel at the minute with the mad schedule we’ve had.”

Two great strikes - a Sam Hasler free-kick and a long-range screamer from Ollie Bate after winning back possession - lit up Ashford’s win over Steyning.

The wind and rain at Homelands made life difficult for both teams, with the result all that mattered.

Stone said: “They were decent strikes in a game that, realistically, due to the weather, lacked a bit of quality.

“Sam Hasler, when he gets an opportunity on the edge of the 18-yard box, you expect him to score these days, and it was a great strike from Ollie Bate.

“It came down to those two moments. We didn’t really ever look like conceding, which was good. I don’t think they had many shots, and we had a couple of moments that we took well.

“It wasn’t one for the purists but it was never going to be in those conditions. The most important thing was to get over the line and get the three points.”

Ashford lost 2-1 at home to Broadbridge Heath on Tuesday night, Bate with a late consolation.