Maidstone midfielder Charley Robertson is rejoining Faversham on a long-term loan.

United took up a year’s option on Robertson’s contract in the summer but the 19-year-old is heading back to Salters Lane.

Stones boss Jay Saunders said: “At the moment he’s beating himself up because he looks at the squad and thinks he won’t be able to challenge for a place with the players we’ve got.

“I’ve said to him I believe in him and think he’s got a big future here but it won’t do him any good to be sat on the bench or in the stand.

"It’s better that he gets out and plays. He’s got to believe in himself more."

Robertson spent the second half of last season on loan at Faversham as Ray Turner's side reached the Ryman League Division 1 South play-offs.

Turner said: "It’s really good news for us that Charley is back on loan. He settled in really well here and it’s a big boost for us.

"The summer is a horrible time for managers. We’ve lost Jack Harris and Aiden Sherlock for financial reasons, and Josh Stanford is going away to university, but things have calmed down considerably since then, and with the addition of Charley, Ryan Cooper and Taser Hassan, we are quite content."

Faversham and Maidstone meet in a friendly at Salters Lane on Tuesday night (7.45pm).

Read the full story in Friday's Kent Messenger