Maidstone continue their pre-season build-up with a trip to Croydon Athletic tomorrow (Saturday, 3pm).

They face Vandanel Kent County League side Bly Spartans, managed by Hume’s brother Matt, at Strood on Tuesday (7pm), and travel to Faversham Town on Thursday (7.45pm).

Three or four trialists, including Danny Stubbs and Dean Bradshaw, will get further chances to impress, with Stones looking to operate with a 16-man squad this season.

Joint managers Lloyd Hume and Alan Walker aim to finalise the squad ahead of the club’s annual pre-season trip to Bournemouth, which this year includes a friendly at Winchester on Saturday, August 1.

Stones start their league programme at home against Carshalton Athletic on Saturday, August 15. They then have two away trips, to Waltham Abbey and Wealdstone.

The fixtures list, released this week, gives Stones a home game against Margate on Boxing Day. Stones’ first Kent derby is a home game against Tonbridge on September 5.

Full Stones league fixture list in this week's Kent Messenger