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Tushaun Tyreece-Walters is more than happy to play wherever he’s needed now he’s back in the Maidstone fold.
The forward shone at left-back on his first National League start in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw against Scunthorpe.
“I got a call on Monday, saying that I could be playing left-back,” he explained.
“I used to play left-back years ago and it’s a position I do have an understanding of naturally as a winger.
“It’s kind of just in my game originally. Obviously, there’s still parts to work on but there was help coming from the side, which helped me while I was playing.
"I felt I did quite well.”
It was certainly an unfamiliar role for Tyreece-Walters, who recently returned from a loan spell at Isthmian Premier strugglers Herne Bay.
But he said: “Wherever I’m needed, really, I’ll do the job for the team if I need to do it.
"It was my first start in the National League. I can only progress from this point and get better.”
Tyreece-Walters admits he had been caught a bit by surprise at how quickly he has been re-introduced into the Stones’ first-team environment having played at Winch’s Field - two divisions below - as recently ago as the end of January.
He said: “It’s been good.
"It caught me by surprise but, in football, things always change.
“I can only thank the manager who gave me the opportunity and trusted in my ability by playing me. I’m very grateful for that.”
Tyreece-Walters is loving working under George Elokobi during his time in temporary charge.
“He’s like one of us but he’s our manager at the same time,” he explained.
“He’s a role model for us so we look up to him and respect him.
“He works with us very well and that’s why we are - slowly but surely - progressing.”
Despite the Stones staring down the barrel of relegation back into National League South, Tyreece-Walters has been impressed with morale.
“The morale, you’d think we are first and about to go into League 2,” he noted.
“The changing room is the best that I’ve ever been in and a lot of people would say the same.
“We take each game by the scruff of the neck and we’ll just try to win as many points as we possibly can.
"The aim is to stay in the league.”
Versatile Sam Bone’s deflected first-half strike put them ahead against Scunthorpe but the away side hit back swiftly after the restart.
Tyreece-Walters reflected: “I think the boys played really well.
“It was a bit of a slow start but, gradually, we got into the game. We went 1-0 up and were unfortunate to concede early in the second half.
“But I felt everyone did well, everyone did what they needed to do. It was good to play with the boys, helping secure a point.”
Bone’s effort was his first for the club.
“Sam’s come in and done exceptionally well,” Tyreece-Walters said. “He gets on with all the lads so we’re all quite proud of him.”
This Saturday, the Stones visit Solihull Moors.
The teams drew 0-0 at the Gallagher while Tyreece-Walters was at Herne Bay but his team-mates have left him under no illusions about how tough the match will be.
He said: “They’re quite good.
"I’ve never actually seen them - I was on loan when we played them [earlier in the season] - but I’ve heard they’re a good team.”
