Maidstone United midfielder Conor Kelly on his ankle injury frustration and spending Christmas away from family in America

Conor Kelly hopes to be nearing the end of his injury troubles as he spends a first Christmas away from his family in America.

Maidstone midfielder Kelly, 24, left his home in New Jersey last summer to pursue a career in English football.

He’d been playing for weeks with an ankle injury before stepping out of the team at the end of September.

He’s been on the sidelines since, missing Maidstone’s promotion challenge and run to the FA Cup third round.

It’s been a difficult period for Kelly, particularly at a time of year when he would normally be enjoying Christmas back in the States.

It’s been made easier by his Stones team-mates and the sacrifices will be worth it when he’s back on the pitch.

“It’s been a really tough period,” said Kelly.

“I’m just trying to stay positive.

“The boys have been fantastic but it’s probably been the hardest two-and-a-half months of my life.

“Hopefully I’m over the hill soon and it can all be put behind me.

“We don’t like to put a date on things but hopefully it won’t be too long.

“I don’t want to get ahead of myself and miss a date I’ve put pressure on making.

“It’s been hard being away from family but the boys have been really good to me.

“It’s made it a bit easier but it’s been quite hard because I just think of all the sacrifices I’m making and some days when you feel you aren’t progressing or you have a setback, you kind of question yourself.

“I did my ankle against Weymouth and I played five games with it.

“I missed one game and kind of felt the pain would go away but we didn’t have many bodies and I was just trying to do a job for the team.

“I was glad I was able to carry on to a certain extent but the pain became too much.

“You’re never going to feel 100% as a footballer. I don’t