Maidstone United defender Lexus Beeden missed their National League South match at Torquay United due to a knee injury

George Elokobi says player welfare comes first after Lexus Beeden missed Maidstone’s game at Torquay.

Beeden sat out the Stones’ 1-1 draw on Saturday due to a knee injury.

It was a blow for the in-form centre-half and United, who host Ebbsfleet in the Kent Senior Cup semi-finals tonight (7.45pm), hope to get to the bottom of the problem this week.

Beeden’s absence at Plainmoor meant a recall for vice-captain George Fowler alongside Taylor Foran in central defence.

“Lexus complained of a slight knock, so the medical team has been assessing him,” said Stones boss Elokobi.

“We have to be cautious, we have to be sensible until we get to the bottom of what’s going on with the area he feels the pain.

“As a club we’re doing everything we can.

“We’d like to have clarity on what we’re dealing with and the medical team is working on that.

“Hopefully we get him seen this week and there will be progression on whatever we’re dealing with. Hopefully by the end of the week we’ll know what it is.

“He has slight inflammation on the knee, so it restricts movement.

“He’s an honest man, he’s been superb for us this season and you want to make sure you look after these players.

“The welfare of the player comes first.

“He was disappointed, he was down that he was going to miss the game but I told him don’t worry about it, your team-mates will go out and try to fight for you and do what they need to do to get three points or a point.”