Working under ex-Premier League players is becoming a habit for Maidstone striker Harry Lodovica.

The big forward is enjoying learning from George Elokobi and Craig Fagan at the Gallagher Stadium.

But before that, his manager at former club Inverness Caledonian Thistle was none other than Everton legend Duncan Ferguson.

The former Toffees striker and top-flight icon was a great sounding board for Lodovica.

As players of similar build and roles, the Stones forward asked plenty of questions of the Scot.

“It was good playing under him,” said Lodovica.

“He’s a top man. He’s a gaffer you want to run through a brick wall for, similar to George.

“I like managers who are ex-pros and played at a high level, just because they know what it takes.

“To get to that high level takes a lot of character and a lot of unique qualities.

“Not everyone gets there so when you become a manager you try to pass on information as much as possible to the players.

“I feel like players just want to play for those types of managers, even more so just to show them their ability and that they can do it because they’ve seen football at the highest level.

“Duncan Ferguson was left-footed, 6ft5in, the same height as me, so I’d be asking questions before, during and after training.

“I don’t think any question is a bad question so I’d be asking him questions about different things, his heading and hold-up play and things like that.

“He gave me a few good pointers and now I’m at Maidstone, I try to use what he gave me to help the team.”

Lodovica is finding his feet after joining Maidstone in September.

It’s worth remembering he missed the second half of last season at Inverness with an ankle injury.

That’s left him playing catch-up but he’s getting there.

“George and Craig have been great for me,” said Lodovica. “They’ve given me time to settle in.

“I’m not sure if people know but I was out for a long time last season due to injury.

“I trained with the squad at Maidstone for a couple of days, and signed, and I’ve been training ever since, being involved in matches here and there.

“But over the last week I played 70 minutes at Welling, came on against Solihull and played 45 at Dorking, so I’m building up my fitness and just trying to do what I can to help the team.

“The gaffer said everyone’s going to be called upon, especially this month with the amount of games coming up.

“Everyone’s got a part to play and when your chance comes you can’t squander it.”

Lodovica had his best game so far after being introduced as a half-time substitute at Dorking.

Maidstone were down to 10 men but Elokobi wanted a second striker on the pitch and turned to his targetman.

The change of system paid off as the visitors rescued a point from a goal down thanks to Aaron Blair’s equaliser.

“The gaffer wanted me to come on and just hold things up, flick things on and keep the ball in our attacking third for as long as possible and just hopefully try and get a goal, whether it was me or someone else,” said Lodovica.

“That’s my game, winning headers, being a threat and doing as much as I can up the pitch.

“I’m 6ft5in, someone can see me a mile away, so I need to come on the pitch and try and impose myself and do what I can for the team.”