Maidstone United midfielder Sam Corne on plans for next season after ‘cruel’ National League South play-off defeat at Worthing

Sam Corne is anticipating news on who will be staying with him at Maidstone next season.

Double player-of-the-year Corne knows he’ll be at the Gallagher Stadium after signing a new deal last month.

Gavin Hoyte’s departure was announced last week and Maidstone can finalise their retained list now they know what division they will be in next season.

They had two plans on the go - one for promotion and one for staying put - and it’s the latter they’ll need to implement after losing to Worthing in the National League South play-offs semi-finals on Sunday.

Corne said: “I think there’ll be meetings quite soon because we know where we’re at in terms of league and we can get rebuilding and recruiting and whatever the gaffer and the management team have in mind.

“But I’m settled, I’m looking forward to having my rest, I know where I’m going to be come next year, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Corne needs a rest after a busy campaign that saw him play more than 50 games in all competitions, although he has an England C international to come first.

He won both the manager’s player and supporters’ player-of-the-year awards, scoring 13 goals from midfield as Maidstone finished fourth, reached the FA Cup fifth round and won the Kent Senior Cup.

“It takes a big toll,” he said. “I was struggling with my groin but you just have to get through.

“We’ve played nine games this month and I’ve played every one, and I’ve played 53 games in a 60-game season.

“So it’s a lot of games in quick succession but that is the industry and that’s what I want to be involved in.

“I want to be playing, so as long as I can stay fit and ready, then I’m always wanting to play.

“But it’ll be nice to have a little break, switch our minds off football a little bit