Maidstone United midfielder Saidou Khan a year on from FA Cup wonder goal at Blackpool

By: Craig Tucker ctucker@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 06:00, 27 November 2020

Updated: 22:19, 10 January 2021

Saidou Khan still harbours Football League ambitions but his mind is fixed on doing the business for Maidstone.

It’s almost a year since Khan’s FA Cup wonder goal at Blackpool alerted Football League clubs to his talent.

Maidstone United midfielder Saidou Khan Picture: Steve Terrell

Luton were among those watching the Gambian midfielder and there was talk the Championship outfit were ready to make a move before the end of the January transfer window.

Nothing materialised and Khan, 24, saw out the shortened season at the Gallagher.

“At that point I did think maybe it would happen,” said Khan, who is two weeks from fitness after suffering a knee ligament injury.

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"Everyone aims to play in the Football League.

“After Blackpool I thought it was possible and it’s still possible.

“I knew a lot of clubs were watching me but my job was to play football.

“If Luton happened, it happened. It didn’t but I have no regrets.

“It wasn’t something that got in my head and affected me.

“Maybe when I’m home looking at my career I think about wanting to play in the Football League but when I’m playing for Maidstone I’m caught up in the moment, I want to work hard and win.

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“I forget everything about moves in that moment - it’s all about helping the team get three points.

“Personally, I still believe I’m going to make it all the way because that’s been my aim since I was young.

“If I keep working hard, do what I do and help Maidstone win games, I think it will come. It’s all about playing and enjoying my football.”

Maidstone are unbeaten in the four games Khan has played this season, winning three and drawing the other, so his return will be most welcome.

However, he came back from injury too soon earlier in the campaign, causing his recent setback, and won’t make the same mistake.

He said: “I’ve had a scan and it’s a sprained LCL, which is the ligament on the outside of the knee.

Saidou Khan celebrates his FA Cup wonder goal at Blackpool Picture: Steve Terrell

“It’s a different injury to the one earlier this season but it happened because of that injury.

“They think I came back too quickly.

“When I got back I was a little uncomfortable and my running style changed a bit to accommodate the injury, so my movement wasn’t natural. That’s then affected the outside of the knee.

“It was meant to take four weeks but I’ve added two more on top to make sure it’s OK. It’s not bad now.

“We haven’t lost when I’ve played this season and hopefully that continues when I come back.”