Striker Matthew Wright, right, has been given permission to play in the FA Cup for Maidstone United Picture: Steve Terrell

by Andrew Gidley

On-loan striker Matthew Wright has been given permission to play for Maidstone in Saturday's FA Cup second qualifying round tie at Harefield United.

The 18-year-old Crystal Palace striker, who hails from Pymouth, is on a one-year contract at Selhurst Park, after being freed by Swansea at the end of last season, and was recommended by former Gillingham boss Ronnie Jepson – who is now Palace’s reserve team boss.

Joint-boss Alan Walker said: "Ronnie is a good mate of mine and he recommended Matthew. I saw him play and he scored a hat-trick in a 9-1 win for the reserves against Leyton Orient.

"He has been unlucky for us in front of goal so far but has led the line ever so well in the last two games and proved the perfect foil for the other strikers."

Stones have done their homework on their Molten Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Harefield, and Walker is predicting a difficult afternoon in Middlesex.

He said: "We have had them watched and have also got a couple of reports on them as well. They are a tough side to play against on their own patch and quite a young side as well."

Harefield have won two and lost three of their five home games to date this season.