Hakan Hayrettin wants to bring midfielder Zihni Temelci back to Maidstone - but needs to free up funds.

Temelci joined the Stones last December, after a move to Crawley collapsed, and produced a string of fine performances.

He had been due to sign a contract but returned home to Cyprus after the season was halted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, he’s back in the UK and was at the Gallagher in a Stones tracksuit for Tuesday night’s win over Welling.

He’s recovering from an ankle injury but the club have found him accommodation and Hayrettin would love to sign him although there is interest elsewhere.

“It’s no secret I’m a great admirer of Zihni,” said the Stones boss.

“I think he’s a fantastic football player.

“I believe he can ply his trade higher but that’s my opinion.

“We’ve had to cut our cloth accordingly because of the universal pandemic.

“He’s here, getting fit. There’s interest from other teams for him but we’ll see.”

Asked if Maidstone were in pole position, Hayrettin added: “I don’t know. All I know is my owners have been very good.

“It’s no secret we’ve had our budget cut, like everybody else, but if you’ve got no socks you can’t pull them up, if you understand what I mean.”

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