Jay Saunders insists Stephen Butcher has a future at Maidstone.

The former Gillingham defender was sent to Ramsgate following the arrival of Dean Pooley at the Gallagher Stadium.

Stones boss Saunders didn't want three right-backs and decided to keep Aaron Simpson as understudy to Pooley.

But that doesn't mean the end for Butcher - despite what he may think.

Saunders said: "Butch has put it out there that it's permanent and if he sees it that way, it's down to him.

"The plan was to call him back the minute we needed him. It was never the case that we released him.

"I like Butch. If I didn't, I wouldn't have picked him for all those games at the start of the season."