Maidstone forward Darius Osei is likely to miss the rest of the season after a late-night trip to hospital.

Osei had been in contention to play AFC Fylde on Saturday but was struck down by an ear infection.

The forward, a January signing from Oldham, has no family down south so Stones boss Jay Saunders took him to hospital.

Saunders may have been hoping for a good night's sleep before taking on Fylde but his players come first.

He said: "I was at hospital with Darius till 1 o'clock in the morning.

"He had an ear infection and it got worse and worse as the week's gone on, so we went to Maidstone Hospital and then off to Pembury.

"He's got to go back to have an operation so I think he might struggle for the rest of the season now which is a shame.

"You have to do these things as a manager. He's a good lad and I've got no issue with that."