Maidstone striker Jamar Loza is set to miss the start of the season through injury.

Loza, who hasn’t featured at all in pre-season, goes for a scan on Friday on a calf problem.

But whatever the results show, manager Jay Saunders doesn’t think Loza will be ready by the time Stones kick off their National League campaign at home to Maidenhead in just over two weeks’ time.

“It’s been frustrating,” Saunders said. “He missed the end of the season through injury, got himself right and wanted to do a little bit of fitness before he came back.

“He’s done something to his calf so we’ve booked him in for a scan on Friday.

Saunders added: “He’s only been able to come in and do gym work, he’s not been able to do any football, which is frustrating because he’s a big player for us.

“We’re hoping to get him right as soon as possible but I think he’s going to be struggling to be fit for the start of the season.”

Saunders has been in talks with two midfielders and also wants to sign another defender.

He said: “There are a couple of lads with League clubs that we might be looking to loan for the season. But the thing with those sort of deals is a lot of teams want to keep their players around in pre-season and let them out at the last minute whereas we’re trying to get them in now so we can work with them.”

A goal from trialist Tyler Campbell helped Maidstone to a 5-0 win at Ashford on Tuesday with Harry Phipps and Joe Pigott scoring twice.