by Craig Tucker

Jay Saunders is hoping Maidstone can tie up a deal to sign Alex Brown until the end of the season.

Midfielder Brown, pictured, impressed during a month’s loan at the Gallagher Stadium but was surprisingly released by Gillingham at the end of last week.

Saunders, whose side host Crawley Down on Saturday, said: "Your head’s all over the place when you’re released and you’re not sure what to do for the best but hopefully we’ll be able to sort something out.

"A few teams have shown an interest in him but I know he’s enjoyed himself here. He was playing in League 2 last year so I understand he wants to play at the highest level he can.

"He’s not had a lot of football recently but he’d be playing every week here in front of big crowds."

In-form Crawley have won their last three games and are up to fourth.

Saunders said: "They’re on a good run but we’re not too bad ourselves. What is it, one defeat in 19 games?

"They’re good going forward but we’re at home and it’s up to us to put on a performance."