Maidstone United defender George Fowler believes everyone’s on trial in pre-season

Player-of-the-year George Fowler says everyone is on trial at Maidstone United.

The Stones are four games into their pre-season campaign, with three matches to play.

Manager George Elokobi is still to show his hand with their National South opener against Slough just over two weeks away.

He’s regularly fielded large numbers of trialists as he looks to finalise his squad for a promotion bid.

That’s all part of the process as Maidstone, beaten 2-1 at Bromley on Tuesday night, get ready for the season.

“In a way, it’s not just the trialists, it’s like a trial period for all of us,” said defender Fowler, who signed a new deal this summer.

“It’s a chance to impress every time we play a game or train.

“At the minute, we want to show the gaffer and Craig Fagan, the assistant, what everyone’s about.

“We want to paint a picture in their heads for what they’re thinking come the start of the season.

“Starting positions are up for grabs and everyone’s got an opportunity to show what they’re about.”

Fowler missed the Bromley game with a wrist injury, sustained attempting a bicycle kick in the Stones’ 2-1 defeat at Leatherhead on Saturday.

The former Ipswich man was the runaway winner of Maidstone’s player-of-the-year vote last season, a shining light in a disappointing campaign that ended in National League relegation.

He showed his versatility playing in his favoured central defensive role and covering at right-back in the absence of Gavin Hoyte.

With Hoyte back from a dislocated shoulder, Fowler hopes to spend more time in the middle.

“I haven’t spoken to the gaffer regarding positions but the friendlies I’ve played have been at centre-half,” said Fowler.

“I played a lot at right-back last season.

“Personally, I’ll be looking to