Maidstone United boss Jay Saunders had to disappoint Ryman League managers looking to take Aston Villa trialist Ben Swift on loan.

United academy defender Swift, 17, starts his trial with Premier League giants Villa on Thursday.

And Stones boss Saunders said: "I was speaking to a couple of Ryman South managers who'd made enquiries.

"I had to say 'I think he might be going to Aston Villa, so I don't think he'll be coming down!'

"Ben has a lot of potential and has done really well. I think he's got a good future.

"Sometimes players can go out too early to get games but he's ready for men's football.

"We've got Steve Watt, Sonny Miles and Jamie Coyle at centre-half but I wouldn't have a problem putting Ben in the team."