Maidstone United midfielder Ruben Carvalho discusses his return to fitness after recovering from a knee injury and his hopes for the second half of the season

Ruben Carvalho is working his way towards match fitness in a major boost for Maidstone United.

Carvalho’s arrival from Maidenhead probably generated more excitement than any other summer signing.

The attacking midfielder had shown his class on loan from the Magpies at Worthing last season and, after the blow of losing some top players, Carvalho’s signing was a coup.

But a pre-season knee injury - aggravated on his return to action - means he’s barely featured in the opening months and only now is he fully on the way back.

His knee has healed and it’s a case of building match fitness.

A player Stones boss George Elokobi feels has the talent to play in the Football League, he’ll be like a new signing as they approach the second half of the season.

“It’s been a hard season,” said Carvalho, who featured as a late substitute in the 1-0 win over Salisbury last Saturday.

“I’ve been injured since pre-season, I tried to come back a bit early and reinjured myself.

“I’ve had my results for my injury so I’m fully healed and I’m just trying to get fit and sharp again for the team.

“These things happen. I’ve just got to move on from it, keep working hard and keep working for the team.

“I need a few games to get fit and sharp again, and it comes from training as well. But the environment is good, so I think I will be there in no time.”

Maidstone could only name a five-man bench against Salisbury, due to injuries, and Carvalho hadn’t expected to feature.

But he got some valuable game time after replacing Antony Papadopoulos for the final five minutes plus stoppage time as United moved up to eighth place in National League South.

“I just started training last week, I wasn’t expecting to come on, but I did a job for the team,” said