Maidstone United manager George Elokobi knows who he wants to keep as club prepare for National South

George Elokobi has a good idea of the players he wants to keep at Maidstone next season after landing the manager’s job.

Elokobi’s two months as caretaker boss gave him time to assess the squad he inherited from Hakan Hayrettin.

He’s also added his own signings in that period, the likes of Josh Shonibare and Sam Bone, who have been successes.

Maidstone are all-but relegated and the challenge for Elokobi is to build a squad to shine back in National League South.

“Yes, I’ve got ideas,” said Elokobi.

“There’s been lots of planning going on behind the scenes. We’re always looking to get better.

“We have to bring in new players that will help us get better next season and that’s football.

“I don’t know how many are going to leave just yet but let’s not forget it’s down to the players to accept whatever offer is on the table, based on whatever budget the club has got.

“At this moment in time I don’t know that but I’ll know that in due course. It’s about working around that budget.

“The board has always been supportive.

“I can’t tell you how well they’ve done in terms of backing the management, not just myself but the previous one as well. We can’t deny that.

“Since I’ve come in, the board has been 110% behind me in terms of the backing, in terms of recruiting players to make us better.

“It’s my job and the job of the head of recruitment to make sure we identify the right talent, the right players to bring to our football club and that’s not going to be any different going forward.”

Maidstone will be one of the biggest clubs in National South next season and with that comes expectation to challenge.

Ebbsfleet will be out of the way - they’re going up as champions - but the Stones could yet be joined by both Torquay and Yeovil,