MAIDSTONE United have announced the signing of 18-year-old striker Steffan Gaisi on loan from Conference South side Bishop’s Stortford.

Gaisi goes straight into the squad for Saturday's Ryman Premier Division trip to Wealdstone and was drafted in to alleviate an injury-crisis that shows little sign of improving.

Although Lynden Rowland and Errison Ahwan emerged unscathed from last Saturday's draw with Harlow, Chris Smalling is away on England Schoolboys duty and Mario McNish, Ben Lewis and Rob Owen all remain sidelined.

Andy Martin’s suspension doesn’t kick in until next week and joint-manager Lloyd Hume hopes that by then the cavalry will have arrived.

He said: "Hopefully we’ll have a couple back by then. Alex Tiesse will be back from (his loan spell at) Leatherhead in two weeks and we’ve had very good reports about him."

Maidstone’s search for reinforcements has taken them as far afield as the Irish League.

Hume is confident the club will capture a right-sided midfielder, but they’ll have to wait until January to confirm the deal.

"He’s not eligible yet because he’s a pro and that means we can’t bring him over until the transfer window opens," Hume said.

For more Stones news see this Friday's Kent Messenger.