Maidstone manager Jay Saunders says size is all that’s keeping Jack Paxman away from the Football League.

Midfielder Paxman is in the form of his life at the Gallagher and Saunders has held early discussions over a new deal.

The 22-year-old, who started his career at Southend, has seen team-mate Dan Sweeney make the move to League 2 Barnet.

Paxman has the ability to step up, too, but it was Sweeney who caught the eye of scouts.

Saunders said: “No disrespect to Dan but if Paxman was Sweeney’s size he’d have gone by now.

“People say size doesn’t matter in football but if people come to a match and see Sweeney at 6ft 3in and built the way he is, he’s always going to get noticed over Pax. That’s just the way it is.

“Again I don’t want to sound disrespectful to Dan but Pax has a lot more ability on the ball.

“They’re different players. I like both of them and there’s still a chance for Pax to get back in the league.”

Paxman is the first player Saunders has spoken to as he considers his options for next season.

He likes to get deals done early where possible but with Maidstone in a National League relegation scrap, players’ futures are up in the air.

Saunders said: “It is difficult thinking about next year because we don’t know what league we’re going to be in.

“I’d love to say 100% we’ll be in this league, and I’d like to think we will be, but you just don’t know.

“If we do stay up I don’t think many would want to leave.

“My only concern is if we go down, I’m sure there’s one or two who have had a taste of this level who wouldn’t want to drop down.”