Maidstone new-boy Reece Hall-Johnson has taken his old Norwich manager's words on board.

Canaries boss Alex Neil had some advice for the young right-back when he released him following relegation from the Premier League.

Hall-Johnson, 21, said: The gaffer at Norwich said to me that he wanted to go with what he knew, and experience, and said I probably wouldn't play this year.

"He said 'go and make a name for yourself' so that's what I've gone to do."

Hall-Johnson made his Norwich debut in a League Cup tie against Crawley two years ago but never got the chance to play regular football at Carrow Road.

He added: "It's tough. Norwich is a tough club. They've got so many players, 30-something players, so when you think you're close sometimes you're not and when you're not close sometimes you just get chucked in.

"I was happy to go and make a name for myself somewhere else."

Hall-Johnson had been training at Ebbsfleet when he got the call to join Maidstone following an injury to Callum Driver.

He signed on Friday and went straight into the squad for the trip to Chester the next day, coming off the bench in a 3-1 victory.

The former Norwich man, who also plays in midfield, said: "I was doing a bit of training at Ebbsfleet, keeping fit, and then I got a call from the gaffer here.

"I want to come here and see how it goes, do well for the team, see where the team finish and see how we all finish."

Hall-Johnson is set to be in the 16 when Maidstone host Braintree at the Gallagher tonight (Tuesday, 7.45pm).

The Essex side, who reached the National League play-offs last season, have drawn two and lost one of their first three games under new boss Jamie Day.

Stones manager Jay Saunders said: "They'll be a good side. Jamie Day's gone in there, I know Jamie very well, and he's brought some good players, got a bit of experience and a bit of youth, so it'll be a tough one for us."