Maidstone caretaker boss George Elokobi is looking to add to his squad before this week’s transfer deadline.

Elokobi is working with head of recruitment Zach Foster-Crouch and the board to identify potential targets.

He’s been backed all the way in his recruitment since taking the reins, signing the likes of Sam Bone, Mamadou Jobe, Mark Marshall, Josh Shonibare and Kevin Berkoe.

The non-league deadline for registering new players is Thursday.

“We hope to do something,” said Elokobi.

“Our head of recruitment, myself, the club, we’re always looking to strengthen.

“It’s my job as a manager to ensure we can bring someone in but also the board has always backed me.

“I’ve been very reluctant to just bring any acquisition in for the sake of numbers.

“We have to make sure the player we’re looking at is the right fit for our football club and fits the culture and philosophy of our football club.

“It’s very important we stay patient and if the right fit is available, the board has not disappointed me.

“They’ve backed every signing that I’ve asked them to do, so they’re not going to stop now."

Maidstone sold top scorer Jack Barham to Aldershot for an undisclosed fee last week.

Elokobi doesn’t anticipate anyone else leaving before the deadline.

“Unless someone wants to,” he said. “They can knock on my door and I will pass that directly on to the chief exec but, no, I don’t think anyone will be, from my understanding.

“Honestly, I don’t know if anyone wants to leave. Why would they want to? Our players are all enjoying themselves.

“They are developing. It’s been better in terms of how we want to play and the results will come.”

It made sense all round for Maidstone to sell Barham, who made his first start for Aldershot in their 2-1 win at Southend on Saturday.

He wanted to stay in the National League and after turning down a new deal, it was best for player and club to make the deal happen.

Elokobi said: “Firstly, Jack Barham has been an excellent servant to our football club and he’s given his all to the very end.

“We offered him a good deal. In terms of Maidstone’s standards it was a very good deal and he did turn that down because he wanted to stay in this league.

“We couldn’t guarantee him that as a football club. He goes with our blessing.

“Sometimes the journey has to come to an end and Jack is also grateful for the opportunity that he had here at Maidstone.

"He’s had two fabulous years with us and we wish him all the very best going forward.

“Decisions are made and at the end of the day do we want to have him here and unsettle him when we know he’s not going to sign for our football club at the end of the season, rather than give him that chance to go now and settle in to his new environment?

“As a football club, coming from myself and hopefully the board, we’ve never stood in any player’s way if they want to go and further their career elsewhere.

“We’ve always ensured we help them to that path and that’s exactly what the board decided to do, to help Jack and not make it horrible because the board appreciated the fact he’s been a fantastic servant to Maidstone United.

"He’s one of the real reasons why we are in the National League in the first place.

“His contributions were immense last season and this season and it’s worked out best for both parties."