Midfielder Jack Paxman has signed a new contract ahead of a big weekend for Maidstone United.

He’s been rewarded with a one-year deal after an impressive campaign at the Gallagher Stadium.

Manager Jay Saunders said: “This is Pax’s first full season in men’s football and he’s learning all the time.

"He’s added workrate to his game and that No.10 role behind the striker could be his position.

“We had that problem where he kept dropping deep but that role gets him further up the pitch.

“He listens, he’s taken on board what we’ve said, he’s well liked and a good player.

“It took all of five minutes to do a deal. I rung him, said we wanted to keep him and he said ‘I love it here, I want to stay’.”

Two wins over the Bank Holiday weekend would see Maidstone virtually assured of a National League South play-off place.

Saunders’ second-placed side meet Hemel Hempstead at the Gallagher on Saturday and visit struggling Chelmsford on Easter Monday (both 3pm).

They look set to be without in-form striker Dumebi Dumaka, who’s scored four goals in seven games since joining from Grays.

He has an ankle injury and will be replaced by Jay May or Alex Akrofi.