Maidstone have cancelled their friendly against Southend due to positive Covid tests.

The teams were due to meet at the Gallagher this Saturday but Stones players are now in isolation.

It means a third straight cancellation for Maidstone, with matches against Sutton and Cheshunt also called off in the past week.

Chief executive Bill Williams said: “If ever we needed a reminder that Covid is still wreaking havoc, then here it is.

“This is a bitter blow to our pre-season plans, at a time when all you want to do is get minutes under your belt before the season starts.

"I feel for Hak and Terry who’d put together a solid programme to get us in the best shape and for the players who’ve given their all.

"Look, there’s two and a bit weeks when we return and we’ve got to get the best from those, God-willing.

“I am equally disappointed for our supporters who were looking forward to seeing their team play at the Gallagher this weekend and hopefully they will be able to join us for the friendlies we’ve got coming up from next Tuesday onwards.

“I apologise to Southend for not being able to fulfil this fixture and hope Phil Brown and his management team are able to make alternative arrangements.”

Maidstone are due back in action at Chatham on Tuesday night.

Chats are looking for a new manager after Scott Lindsey took a coaching job at League 2 Swindon.

Read more: The latest sports news in Kent