Jamie Coyle is proving pretty useful for a back-up.

He’s playing so well alongside Manny Parry in central defence that captain Steve Watt can’t get back in the Maidstone team.

United have conceded just one goal in six National League games since player-coach Coyle teamed up with Parry – and that was a penalty in their first appearance together.

Coyle, 32, got his chance after Watt suffered a head injury at Eastbourne.

He said: “Watty started really well and Manny’s been excellent all year. I just made sure I kept myself ticking over away from football in case I was called upon in the event of an injury or a cup game.

“It sounds crazy at my age and with what I’ve been doing but I’m the fittest I’ve been in my whole career."

As for defensive partner Parry, Coyle feels the former Stoke youngster has a big future.

He said: “I thought he was man-of-the-match at Ebbsfleet by a distance. At 21, to be holding down a place in the side the way he is, it’s credit to him.

"Anyone at his age who continues to produce performances consistently will always attract interest from higher-league clubs.”