by Craig Tucker

Steve Ward is set for an extended run in the Maidstone defence - at the age of 41.

Assistant manager Ward marked his debut by helping United to a first clean sheet of the season in a 2-0 win against Corinthian-Casuals at the weekend.

The veteran centre-half is in line to start the FA Cup first qualifying round tie at Chipstead on Saturday and boss Jay Saunders is ready to keep him in the side long-term.

Saunders (pictured) said: "We'd been conceding too many goals so I decided to make a change.

"I knew he was still a quality player when I signed him.

"He has such a calm head, he doesn't get nervous and his enthusiasm for the game is fantastic, which rubs off on other people. I wish he was 10 years younger but he must be the fittest 41-year-old I know.

"He was always at the front when we did road runs in pre-season.

"He still wants to play and I don't see why he can't."

Another player likely to feature at Chipstead is winger Les Thompson, who has agreed terms following his release by AFC Hornchurch.

The former Bolton Wanderers trainee, 23, set up a goal against Corinthian and is a player Saunders rates highly.

The Stones boss said: "He didn't fit in with the way Hornchurch play but you could see after one training session what a good player he is."

Chipstead and Maidstone are rivals in Ryman League, Division 1 South and Saunders is expecting a tricky day, with £3,000 prize money up for grabs.

Michael Phillips is struggling to be fit for the game with a hamstring problem while Ian Draycott will play for the reserves after recovering from an ankle injury.

Do you think Ward is the right man to lead Stones' defence? Have your say below.