George Elokobi wants to bring goalkeeper Ryan Sandford back to Maidstone.

Stones boss Elokobi has confirmed his interest in the 24-year-old who has been released by Championship club Millwall.

He faces competition for a player who previously impressed in two loan spells at the Gallagher but that won’t stop him trying.

Maidstone are in the market for a new goalkeeper after releasing Tom Hadler and Yusuf Mersin following National League relegation, although teenager Harley Earle has signed a new contract.

“We are always looking at who is available,” said Elokobi.

“We’d love to try and attract Ryan Sandford to Maidstone United but we’ve got a lot of competition from other clubs, I’m sure.

“I’m not going to hide it, we are going to try and attract him.

“He’s one we know very well but it’s down to the individual, to the player.

“Where do they want to play their football going forward?

“All we can do is have those conversations and hopefully a player like Ryan Sandford can come to decision if he does want to come to a club like Maidstone.

“Every avenue is being explored.

“I haven’t had a conversation with Ryan just yet but hopefully we can have that conversation.”

Sandford first joined Maidstone on loan during their 2021/22 National South title-winning season, making three appearances before suffering an ankle injury in training.

He returned in November, keeping three clean sheets in six full appearances and winning the player-of-the-month award before dislocating his shoulder at Woking.

Maidstone, who were 1-0 up at the time, went on to lose 3-1 and didn’t win another National League game.

Sandford would be a major asset if Maidstone could get him over the line.

“As a player, we all know where we enjoy our football the most,” said Elokobi.

“Only Ryan can answer that question but I’m sure he enjoyed his two spells here.

“He’s had a feel of what the club is about from two spells on loan here from Millwall but sometimes that counts for nothing.

“I’m saying this as an ex-professional, sometimes players have ambitions to play at certain levels and this is the competition we face.

“I’m sure he won’t be short of interest out there from National League and National League South clubs and, who knows, maybe Football League clubs.

“He’s a good keeper. We’ll always try and speak to good players who will come and add value to Maidstone United Football Club and he’s no different from all the other players we have on our radar.”