Returning striker Alfie Pavey has told Hakan Hayrettin he’s ready whenever needed at Maidstone.

Pavey has been recalled by the Stones for the National League South title run-in after a successful stint at Dover.

He scored six goals in 18 games for a struggling Whites side, leaving Crabble as their top scorer.

He doesn’t expect to play but, with seven games to go, could yet add to his two goals in a Stones shirt this season and help the team to promotion.

The former Millwall man accepts he’s down the pecking order but stranger things have happened and he’s certainly a player in form after his efforts at Dover under Andy Hessenthaler.

“I’m pleased with how the loan’s gone,” said Pavey, 26.

“I scored one in three and my performances have been good.

“Hak’s made it clear in the past that I don’t suit his style, which is fair enough.

“Hess plays 4-3-3 and is more direct and everybody who knows me knows, if you get crosses in the box, that’s how I’m going to affect a game.

“I’m not going to be a natural runner, who will run the channels, but I’ll affect a game in a way I can.

“I got the call in the week saying I was getting called back, which is OK. I’m half-delighted because I’m there for the promotion push.

"Whether I’m in the stands or on the bench, I’ll give it my best shot and I’ve told Hak I’ll be ready when called upon or if required.

“I’m not going back expecting to play, and if I need to play 23s football to keep myself ticking over, I’ll do that.

“Hak knows my situation, he knows I’m ready and there if needed. You never know what can happen.

“I might sit out the next five games and be on the bench for the last two and score the winner that sends them up.

"You just don’t know how football works, which is why I’ve always stayed level-headed.

“I’m not a bad egg - ask any manager I’ve played for.

“I’ve never caused issues, I’ve just got on with my work on a daily basis.

"Am I right in asking why I’m not playing? Yes, of course I am.

"I’m allowed to ask why I’m not playing or what can I do to get in the team? I’ve had many open conversations with Hak.

"At the end of the day, he’s the manager and it’s his decision. If I don’t suit his style of play, that’s fair enough, I take it on the chin, I’m not going to change his opinion.

“I’m a certain type of player and I don’t think there’s many people out there like me.

"He doesn’t feel I can play that No.1 striker through the middle but I’ll give you a different dimension.

"I’m different to Jack Barham, I’m different to Reece Grant, I’m different to Christie Pattisson, I’m different to Hady Ghandour.”

Pavey scored winners against Chelmsford and Billericay after coming off the bench but barely featured for Maidstone before going out on loan at the end of November.

He started the season as the only fit centre-forward, with Barham and Grant sidelined by knee injuries, but played second fiddle to Pattisson, a winger by trade.

“When the opportunity came round to go out on loan, I had to make a decision,” said Pavey.

“Do I sit about for another year or do I go and play? It made sense to go and play - how long for I didn’t know - but the loan kept getting extended so I was obviously doing OK.

“People probably said it was a poor loan move, because of Dover’s position, but for me it was National League football and it was a big attraction to play for Hess and Nicky Southall again.

"I felt if I could do well in the National League I could get my career back on track.

“I’ve never been one to sit about, I want to progress in my career, I want to play football.

“Hak understood that and that’s why he let me go.

“I feel like I wasn’t given a fair crack at it.

“I started the first game and was out for the next few, then I came on against Chelmsford and Billericay and scored, and I’m asking the question, why am I not starting?

“All I said was I needed a run of games. I got that at Dover and it’s not like I’ve been scoring against teams at the bottom, I scored against Halifax the other week and Wrexham on Saturday.

"I’ve always known what I can do if I’m given time and a run of games, just like any other forward.

“I love this club to death, it’s got fantastic people around it, I’ve got a close relationship with Bill Williams (chief executive) and Terry Casey (co-owner), I work with the academy, so I’ve still been around the place, and I've still been training there.”

Hayrettin can make no promises but felt it was important to have Pavey available for the title run-in.

He said: “I’ve called him back because there’s seven games to go and I want all bases covered. I don’t want to leave myself short.

“He’s got to work hard to get in the squad and he knows that.

"No-one wants to be in a position where they aren’t playing for their parent club but it didn’t work out for Alfie at the time.

“He’s gone to Dover and done fantastically well. We play a different way to them but he’s worked hard and you never know.

“We’ll see how he does now he’s back but he’s a great lad and he’s got great camaraderie with the boys.

“If he comes back and he’s involved, good luck to him.

“He’s well-liked around the place, and it’s nice for him to be on this journey with us.”

There was space for Pavey after Mo Bettamer returned to Aldershot.

“Mo's parent club felt if he wasn’t going to play here, he might as well go back to them,” said Hayrettin.

“I will always maintain Mo is a good player with great ability.

"Due to a lack of matches, we didn’t get to see that but he’s gone back to Aldershot and he’s in their squad. He’s someone I’d always be interested in.”