Will De Havilland will have no problems standing up to National League strikers after working with Adebayo Akinfenwa at Wycombe.

Akinfenwa - recognised as one of the strongest players in football - is a defender's nightmare.

De Havilland, who's joined Maidstone on loan from the Chairboys for the rest of the season, has faced him regularly on the training ground.

The Stones new boy said: "I've come up against him quite a bit in training but I've never played a game against him, thank God.

"I feel sorry for defenders who have to go up against him in games.

"In training, if you get within touching distance of him, you'll be moved wherever he wants you to go.

"You've got to try not to get too close but at the same time nick in front of him but he's so strong that you can't move him.

"He's helped me a lot. In training, he's a guy that whenever I'm starting he comes and talks to me, giving me advice and he's such a good guy to have around the team."

De Havilland came to Maidstone's attention playing on loan for Aldershot in a 1-1 draw at the Gallagher last August.

Stones boss Jay Saunders kept tabs on the big centre-half, who started his career at Millwall and Sheffield Wednesday, and made his move.

The 23-year-old was a regular in the Wycombe team in the second half of last season but found opportunities limited this term.

He said: "I started the season on loan at Aldershot but injuries meant I had to go back to Wycombe.

"I was looking to get out and play again and Jay's given me a good opportunity here.

"I just want to help out as much as I can, play as many games as I can before the end of the season and put myself in the shop window again.

"I'm not sure what's happening next season yet but this is a good chance to get some games and show what I can do.

"I want to go as high as I can. There's a chance, wherever you play, to get spotted because everyone's watching all different leagues these days.

"Wherever you start consistently performing you can get picked up."

De Havilland did his scholarship at Millwall and was a first-year pro before joining Sheffield Wednesday.

He made the bench for the Owls but a first-team appearance eluded him.

He said: "Towards the end of my first year the gaffer started throwing me on the bench.

"Stuart Gray was the manager and then Carlos Carvalhal took over and I got on the bench once or twice but the squad was so big that I got pushed out.

"It's a great club and a massive club, the fans come in thousands everywhere you go."