Alex Flisher has started the long road back to fitness following his latest knee injury.

Flisher was ruled out for the season after damaging his cruciate ligament in Margate's friendly against Ramsgate last August.

The former Maidstone favourite, who joined Gate on a two-year deal, finally had an operation three months ago.

But only now is he able to start exercising, with the aim of returning next season.

Flisher, who missed 10 months with a knee injury during his Stones days, said: "I'm currently straight-line running, which is the first progression from not really doing anything, so it's good to start exercising and trying to get back fit.

"I've got another six months left so I'm looking at July, start of August.

"It's a long process but we'll see it goes. It's been OK, not too bad.

"I had to wait three months for the operation, the surgeon wanted me to wait for medical reasons.

"I had that, the op went well, everything went as planned and the knee's been fine since the op.

"I've had no setbacks or issues but it's a long process so it's quite draining sometimes

when you're going to watch football and you can't do anything."

Flisher, 25, joined the collection of Maidstone old boys at Hartsdown Park last summer after rejecting a new deal at the Gallagher.

The winger was looking forward to a new challenge but was injured on the eve of the new Bostik Premier season.

He said: "There was 10 seconds left of the last pre-season friendly, so it couldn't get any worse.

"Missing a whole season, at my age, isn't good because it's the age where you can kick on and after my last injury I was hoping to get back into things and get a bit of form back.

"It's a setback but hopefully the boys can get promotion and I can start again - again.

"I've still got another year left on my contract, which has helped me out and given me something to aim for."