Darius Osei's League 1 experience with Oldham could make him the man to fire Maidstone to safety.

Osei made only his sixth National League appearance for the Stones as a late substitute at Dagenham on Easter Monday.

The striker moved south in search of regular football at the start of January and while it hasn't happened, he could yet have a big impact.

Jay Saunders has been impressed with his attitude in training and says he's in his thoughts after a lively cameo against the Daggers.

Osei, who is still to score a league goal, is convinced Maidstone will stay up.

And while nerves might be natural in a relegation scrap, the Ghanaian will draw on his Oldham days should he get a chance to play at Guiseley this Saturday.

He said: "When I signed for Oldham I felt nervous when I started but the nerves drop and I don't feel nervous now.

"The experience at Oldham helped me with that and I'm used to it now and just cut the nerves away.

"We just need a couple of wins and we'll be back up safe with no worries.

"We've got good lads around here so I've confidence in every one of them.

"I'm sure we'll do well and stay up."

Osei scored on his first Maidstone start, an FA Trophy win over Heybridge, and also struck in the Kent Cup semi-final victory against Bromley.

He has worked hard to put himself in the frame and is ready to deliver for a Maidstone side who have struggled for goals since Zavon Hines and Joe Pigott left after Christmas.

Osei said: "It's been frustrating not being in the team but I just do what I do and that's train hard and work hard every day.

"Jay brought in new players and he wanted to try them out and I've no problem with that.

"I'm just fighting for my position.

"It's hard as a striker when the goal isn't coming and you think to yourself 'when's it going to happen?'

"You just need that good run of form and if you score one you fill yourself with confidence.

"You just have to keep practising hard at training and keep working on the basics and eventually in a match you should be able to get a goal.

"It's about being in the right place at the right time, anticipating where the ball's going to land.

"Like I said, there's good players around here - anyone can score in this club.

"We just need to find our footing.

"Ross Lafayette is doing well, we're all doing well, we just need to have a good start in a game."