By Alex Hoad

Maidstone joint-boss Lloyd Hume has revealed the club are desperate to get back into league action after several weeks of inactivity and frustration.

The Stones have not been able to play since December 5’s 2-2 draw at Tooting & Mitcham, as their temporary home at Ashford Town’s Homelands ground has been unplayable – forcing three attempts at hosting the FA Trophy first round clash with Histon to be postponed.

Last Saturday’s Ryman League Premier Division game at Carshalton also fell foul of the weather.

Stones were boosted by being able to train properly for the first time in more than three weeks when they used the 3G surface at Dartford this week.

Hume (pictured) said: "The players have been desperate to go training, and it’s not often you hear that from a player. We have not been able to kick a football since the Tooting game.

"All the facilities we have been able to find have been booked up and the weather has made it impossible to train anywhere else."

Hume said the club were hopeful of a return to action in the Boxing Day derby against struggling Margate (kick-off 3pm).

"It has been frustrating for us, the chairman, the fans, everyone," he said. "We are desperate to play again."

Should the game go ahead the Stones will be at full strength, with the time off allowing Tom Parkinson to recover from a hamstring injury.

Stones’ festive double-header is completed by a trip to promotion-chasing Hastings on Monday (3pm).