James Rogers is back to his best after getting his head around the excitement of becoming a dad.

There was a surprise in store for the Maidstone midfielder and his pregnant wife Lisa when they found out they had twins on the way.

Lisa is due to give birth next month and Rogers now accepts his early-season form suffered as he contemplated fatherhood.

Boss Jay Saunders sent him on loan to Folkestone but since winning back his place, the 31-year-old is looking his old self.

Rogers is in line to start his fifth consecutive National League South game when second-placed Stones go to Bath City tomorrow (Saturday, 3pm).

He said: “Subconsciously, I didn’t think anything was wrong. Jay thought it was playing on my mind and if I compare then to now, there’s a massive difference in my fitness and the way I was mentally.

“I’m not saying it makes you soft but lots of things go through your mind and when you’re not fully focused it can affect you. You just don’t realise at the time.

“It was tough being out of the side. I wasn’t happy but I’ve spoken to Jay about it since and told him he was right.

“Bringing two kids up is going to be tough and it’s nice to have football as a little release from home life.

“I couldn’t believe it when I found out we had twins on the way. It was a bit of a shock. My missus started crying and I just stood there and went as white as a sheet. I thought I’d better start counting my pennies!”

Read the full story in Friday's Kent Messenger