Maidstone manager Jay Saunders is thrilled to have Stuart Lewis on board.

Lewis, who's joined on loan from National South Ebbsfleet for the rest of the season, was terrific in United's 2-1 win over Torquay on Saturday.

The all-action midfielder, a Wembley play-off final winner with Gillingham in 2009, was named player-of-the-year at Ebbsfleet last season.

At 29, the former Wycombe captain could comfortably still be playing in the Football League.

But he was out of Fleet's team and Saunders decided to test the water.

He said: "He’s someone I’ve liked for a little while.

"The most I saw of him was when he first went to Ebbsfleet and I was impressed with him last season whenever I watched them.

"He hadn’t been playing and it was one of them where I thought we’ll ask the question, so I spoke to Daryl McMahon and he said they were going to make him available for loan.

"I don’t think a lot were too happy about it at Ebbsfleet, the fans and that, and I thought you could see why against Torquay.

"I thought he was outstanding. The energy and workrate he brought to the team, and his experience, really made a difference.

"You look at his history, he was Wycombe captain I think for five years, he's always been at a higher level.

"He bought into what Ebbsfleet were trying to do and unfortunately for them it didn’t come off last year for obvious reasons but I think he’ll add to us and I was delighted with him."