Maidstone skipper George Elokobi says he’ll be ready whenever he’s needed after making his comeback.

Elokobi returned after four months out with a groin injury, playing 90 minutes as the Stones lost 1-0 at Tonbridge in Kent Senior Cup on Tuesday night.

George Fowler and Joe Ellul have forged a formidable partnership in central defence in his absence, with Maidstone on a 13-game unbeaten run in National South.

Elokobi knows he’s no longer first choice as he looks to rebuild match fitness but the team comes first for the club captain.

“First, credit goes to the squad, the boys who’ve been playing,” said Elokobi, 36.

“It’s not about me, injuries happen in football.

“The boys have been tremendous throughout the last 13 games.

“Everyone’s been instrumental in where we are today.

“They’ve been incredible, so that gave me time to properly get myself back.

“It’s been a bit frustrating, bittersweet, because you want to be available for selection, but with the injury I had I couldn’t control that.

“I’m still getting fitter and whenever the gaffer needs me I’ll be ready but it was good to get a run-out.

“I’ve been in football a very long time and my role doesn’t change. I lead by example.

“Gavin (Hoyte) has been deputising, he’s been a great captain and you’ve got a leader like Joe Ellul coming back from injury helping the team.

“Everyone has stepped up to the plate, so it’s not about me, it’s about the squad and the team the gaffer picks.

"I’m always there, I’ve been there behind the scenes to help the players out.

“That was my role when I came to the club, it wasn’t to play every single game at my age, so it’s important for me to bide my time and when the gaffer needs me, I’ll be ready.

“It’s about listening to my body for the next 48 hours and seeing where that takes me.

“Let’s not run ahead of ourselves.

“It was a nasty injury I had and I’ve done well to come back at this stage of the season.”

Elokobi had featured in a couple of behind-closed-doors friendlies but the Tonbridge game was his first 90 minutes since the goalless draw at Dulwich in October.

“I’m just happy to be out there getting some minutes under my belt," he said.

“It’s a bit frustrating because I wanted to win, it’s a local derby, but we take the loss, credit to Tonbridge, they got a goal at a very good time and good luck to them for the rest of the competition."

Maidstone, in second, host third-placed Oxford City in National South on Saturday and travel to leaders Dorking next weekend.

Elokobi would love to be lifting the championship trophy at the end of the season but stressed the need to stay switched on.

“It would be nice if that happens but we take one game at a time,” he said.

“We can’t be thinking about lifting the trophy when you’ve got so many games left.

“There’ll be twists and turns but hopefully we keep the momentum going.

“We respect the opponents and the teams in and around us, but we can only concentrate on our fixtures and the rest will take care of itself.

“I’ve been involved in promotion pushes and at this business end of the season, it’s about taking one game a time, executed to the best of our ability.”