Blair Turgott has boosted Maidstone’s survival chances by telling manager Harry Wheeler he wants to stay for the rest of the season.

There were fears Turgott may have played his last game for the Stones after being ruled out for up to six weeks with a knee injury.

Football League clubs are sure to be circling during the January transfer window but Wheeler says his 14-goal leading scorer is going nowhere.

Wheeler said: “I’m confident he’ll play another game for the club.

“He’s told me he wants to stay, minimum, until the end of the season.

“He thinks he’s playing his best football at the moment under us, so he wants to push on here.

“He’s an intelligent boy, Blair, and hopefully he gets back fit as soon as possible.”

Wheeler knows Turgott’s intention to stay won’t stop league clubs showing an interest.

He joined League 2 Stevenage in 2017 after a successful year at Bromley but quickly departed for a return to non-league at Boreham Wood.

The Stones boss said: “Even if he did get the opportunity to move to the league, it’s got to be the right club.

“It’s got to be one where it fits his style, he’s going to play and not just end up back in non-league in a year’s time.

“He’ll get his chance but I’d expect him to be kicking a ball for us once he’s fit.”

Turgott’s injury hit preparations for last weekend’s FA Cup second-round tie against Oldham.

The Stones lost 2-0 without their captain but Wheeler is more concerned about the National League, with his side third-bottom going into Saturday’s trip to Barrow.

He said: “It’s more of a blow for the long term in the league than the FA Cup.

“With the way things have been going recently I just took it on the chin and got on with it.

“We just have to react and we’ve got good lads that have come in and we have others who might step up to the plate.

“We’re quite confident they will do that and we’ll go and give a good account of ourselves at Barrow.

“If you’d given me a win against Oldham or Barrow, I’d take Barrow.

“We have to start climbing the table.”