George Elokobi says there’s no better man in the country than him to help Maidstone players deal with injuries. Sol Wanjau-Smith made his first Stones start in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Gateshead - a big day for the forward after an injury-plagued debut season at the Gallagher.
Caretaker boss Elokobi knows from painful experience the challenge of fighting back from long spells out. He lost two seasons of his career to horror knee and ankle injuries while playing for Wolves and Bristol City, on loan from Molineux, respectively.
Elokobi was quick to sit down with Wanjau-Smith after taking charge and was delighted to include him in the starting XI after a couple of bright substitute appearances.
He was due to play 70 minutes but managed almost 90 before being caught on one of his troublesome knees. “It’s brilliant to see him out there,” said Elokobi, who also introduced Raphe Brown from the bench after a year out with an ankle injury. “He enjoyed it.