Former Maidstone United midfielder Conor Kelly would be welcome to train at the Gallagher when he returns to the UK from America

The door is open for former Maidstone midfielder Conor Kelly to train at the Gallagher.

Kelly returned to America in the summer to continue his recovery from a long-term ankle injury after being released by the Stones.

But he’s on his way back to the UK for another crack at English football, announcing the news on 2 Brits 1 Yank - the podcast he co-hosts with ex-team-mates Sam Bone and Sol Wanjau-Smith.

If he wants to train at Maidstone, he only has to ask.

“That’s good to know he’s fully recovered now,” said Stones boss George Elokobi.

“At the end of the day, Conor has got my phone number, he has to reach out. There’s protocols at the football club.

“If it’s at Maidstone, fine. If it’s somewhere else, OK, not a problem.

“We think highly of him after his contribution at the start of last season.

“It’s unfortunate he suffered the injury he did but it’s good that he’s in good health. That’s the most important thing.

“Obviously it depends on our numbers because we can’t just bring him in if we’ve got a lot of bodies around.

“Then it defeats the purpose because we’ve got a squad to prepare and we have to make sure if he’s coming in, it’s to give him that chance to get fit and see where that takes him.

“But I like him as a player and a person, so that door is always going to be open.

“However, we have to make sure the numbers are right in training. We can’t just bring players in for the sake of it.

“I was as frustrated as he was because he was just getting better and better.

“It was a new environment for him and a new culture and we knew it might take a couple of weeks to get used to it.

“I thought we saw the best of his game at Chippenham away last season and also here against Worthing, when he played such an integral role.