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Maidstone’s Kent Senior Cup tie at Corinthian has come too soon for Sol Wanjau-Smith.
The forward has yet to feature in a competitive game since signing from Hungerford, having been troubled by both knees.
Tonight’s second-round tie would have been ideal to get him some minutes but it seems he’s unlikely to play before next month.
It’s been a frustrating time for the player, who relocated from his home in Bristol to join the Stones, and manager Hakan Hayrettin, who made Wanjau-Smith one of his top targets following promotion.
“They're saying December now,” said Hayrettin.
"It’s been hard for Sol. I’ve been in that position. You feel for him.
“He’s handled it as well as you could expect.
“He doesn’t want to get injured on purpose but as a manager you’re grizzling all the time.
“When’s he going to get fit? When are we going to have him back? The quicker, the better.”
Hayrettin is set to make plenty of changes to the side who drew 0-0 with Oldham in the National League on Saturday.
But Hayrettin - John Still’s No.2 when Maidstone last won the Kent Senior Cup in 2019 - wants to progress.
“I’m taking it seriously,” he said. “I’m going to play players that need minutes and there’ll be some first-team players playing.”
Maidstone won 9-0 on their last visit to Corinthian - an FA Cup qualifier 11 years ago.