Striker Mo Bettamer has been reunited with Hakan Hayrettin - more than three years on from his sole appearance under the Maidstone manager.

Bettamer has joined the Stones on a month’s loan from National League Aldershot, having previously worked with Hayrettin at Braintree.

It was short but sweet, with Bettamer scoring both Iron goals in a 2-2 draw at moneybags Salford after Hayrettin took over as caretaker manager in October 2018.

He would go on to join John Still at Barnet before switching to Aldershot a year later.

It’s been an injury-hit campaign for the forward, who’s on the comeback trail after almost three months out.

He needs games and Maidstone have been looking for a big man up top, so it’s a move that makes sense all round.

“I had a brief spell with Hak at Braintree before I moved to Barnet,” said Bettamer, 28.

“We played Salford, that was the only game I played with him, and I scored two goals.

“I left an impression on him, so maybe that’s why he wanted me back.

“He’s been trying to get me for a while now and I’m glad to be able to get something sorted.

“It’s not been the greatest season for me with injuries.

“I had a hamstring injury at the start of the season, came back, started getting some form, then a new gaffer came in and I got injured again.

"I’ve been out for 11-and-a-half weeks but training for the last three or four weeks.

“I’m just trying to get games but Aldershot are on a good run of form, so it’s hard to get back in.

“Since I’ve been injured, I’ve been doing a lot of other things but match fitness is different.

“That’s what I need to get but it shouldn’t take too long.

“I believe in my ability, I’ll get going quickly, so hopefully I can come in here and help.

“Right now, Hak just wants me to get games, get goals and after the month we’ll take it from there but from the boys I know here already, it’s a good group of lads and I just want to add to the quality that’s here.”

Bettamer, who scored 29 goals for Staines in the 2017/18 season, was in the crowd for Maidstone’s goalless draw at St Albans on Saturday.

He was impressed with his new team-mates, including Jack Barham, who has been working his socks off as United’s lone striker.

Bettamer offers more of a physical presence and the pair will be competing for starts, along with young Watford loanee Jimiel Chikukwa.

“Fair play to Jack,” said Bettamer. “He’s come back from a major injury himself and got himself fit and he caused St Albans’ centre-backs quite a few problems.

“But football is about competition and we’ll strive to make each other better.

“I’ve worked my way up from step six of non-league football so I’ve always been involved in the physical side of the game. It’s not going to be something new to me.”

Bettamer, who struck in Aldershot’s 3-2 win at Southend in September, may have dropped a level to join Maidstone.

But, as far as he’s concerned, he’s effectively swapped one National League club for another.

He said: “I’ve not really played a lot of National South games to know the difference between the two leagues but Maidstone are a club that should be in the National League, at least, so they know what it takes.

“The team I see at Maidstone, they’re National League players and hopefully I can come in and add a bit more quality and just push us on and hopefully go for the title.”