Boss Jay Saunders is optimistic new Tonbridge defender Alex Finney can leave his fitness problems behind him.

Finney worked with Saunders at Maidstone after moving to the Gallagher Stadium initially on loan before he made the switch a permanent one.

The centre-back, who turned 27 on Tuesday, has been hampered by injury in recent seasons and only made nine starts and two substitute appearances during the 2022/23 campaign as Ebbsfleet stormed to the National League South title.

But Saunders said: “He’s so passionate, he trains how he plays.

“The last couple of years, he has been a bit hit-and-miss with injury. But he’s over that now.

“If we can get him playing to his full potential, we have one of the best centre-halves in the league.

“It’s an area we needed to fill with Sonny Miles leaving so, to get someone of that calibre in, that’s very good news.

“He has just had a hamstring problem the last couple of years.

“He was fit for a lot of games last year but, unfortunately, he was in a squad that kept winning.

“You just need to look at Jack Paxman. He hardly featured and he’d been their player-of-the-season [two years ago].

“Going part-time will help Alex, it will give him the recovery he needs.”

Another joining is midfielder Jordan Higgs from league rivals Dover - having netted a fine goal at Crabble last August for the hosts in a 2-1 Angels win before also featuring in a 4-0 home triumph at Longmead.

Saunders said: “When I left Maidstone, I went and worked at Bromley with [then-manager] Neil Smith for a bit.

“I worked with him there and he impressed me last year when we came up against them.

“He scored a cracking goal at Dover. Even at our ground, he stood out, even though we won comfortably. He offers something different.

“Those you earmark, when you get them over the line, that’s a nice feeling.”

Their summer arrivals certainly have plenty of National League experience.

“That was a big thing for us,” added Saunders.

“Last year, I signed people who had played lower before. I think that showed at times.

“Joe Boachie, Johl Powell, Alex Finney, Jordan Higgs, they know this level - and above. They know the league and what’s required.

“That, for me, means we can get to work straight away with how I want to play.”

Versatile defender Jamie Fielding will also remain at Longmead after turning down more lucrative offers elsewhere.

Saunders said: “He was someone we were keen to keep. He had a really good season last year.

“He was up there for player-of-the-season and, maybe, he just missed out with injury. He gives us flexibility.

“Two or three clubs came in for him. He got offered more elsewhere, if I’m honest.

“But he has decided to stay with us and, with another 30 games under his belt, I think he can go higher.”

Tonbridge are still talking to other possible recruits and re-signed playmaker Nathan Wood earlier this week.

“We are still speaking to one or two left-backs,” revealed Saunders. “We’re close on a couple. Then, we’ll see where we’re at.

“I’m not one that has four or five sat in the stands. But this time last season, we had 10 - if that.

“There’s one or two from last year we’re still talking with. But we’re in a good position.

“There’s also players hanging out for clubs at the league above - or above that. They tend to come in pre-season.

“But most of the ones I wanted to keep, I have and that’s good.”

Left-back Craig Braham-Barrett has joined Isthmian Premier Dulwich after leaving Tonbridge.