Canvey Island v Maidstone

Meshach Nugent, Ian Selley and Kevin Watson will lead the exodus of players leaving Maidstone United after the club was put up for sale.

With joint-managers Alan Walker and Lloyd Hume needing to trim 40 per cent off the wage bill, the club have circulated the availability of the trio.

Nugent is set to join big-spending Croydon Athletic on loan. Former Tottenham and Gillingham midfielder Neil Smith, who left Stones a week ago to join Croydon as assistant manager, wasted no time in returning for Nugent.

More players are expected to follow as Walker and Hume confront the task of breaking up a squad they believed were good enough to make an impact in the Ryman League Premier Division.

Walker said: “Nobody will throw in the towel at Maidstone United. It's essential you ride out these storms and progress as a club until such times when things improve."

Skipper Ben Lewis could make a surprise return from a career-threatening back injury at Canvey Island on Saturday.

Elliot Bradbrook and James Pinnock also return to contention after injury.

“All three are big players for us and we need them back,” added Walker.