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Alex Finney set for Maidstone United comeback

Alex Finney is in line to make his Maidstone comeback ahead of schedule.

United's on-loan QPR defender was due to play a friendly for Rangers yesterday after recovering from a broken jaw.

If he came through that he should be available for the Stones' National League home game against struggling Barrow on Saturday.

Maidstone defender Alex Finney Picture: Steve Terrell
Maidstone defender Alex Finney Picture: Steve Terrell

Finney was injured in the Boxing Day draw at Dover and has been sorely missed by a Maidstone side who have been leaking goals.

Boss Jay Saunders said: "He'll make a big difference. I think when he and Alex Wynter had that spell together they had six or seven clean sheets and since then we've not kept one.

"I don't want to heap loads of pressure on the boy and say when he comes back he's going to turn our whole season around but the facts are he was a big player for us."

If fit, Finney will be in contention along with Magnus Okuonghae and Josh Hare to replace the suspended Dean Beckwith as Maidstone look for a first victory in 15 league games.

United are desperate to halt their winless run.

Saunders said: "I keep getting it thrown at me and rightly so because it's been a long time since we won a league game.

"Some of the games - I'm not saying every game - we've played all right in.

"Bromley on Saturday was OK, we've just not been able to get that win.

"We need it sooner rather than later and hopefully Saturday will be it but I'm under no illusions, there's no easy games in this league.

"We've been right in lots of games, we've just not been good enough defensively.”

Maidstone manager Jay Saunders Picture: Gary Browne
Maidstone manager Jay Saunders Picture: Gary Browne

Barrow are managed by former Gillingham boss Adrian Pennock, who took charge shortly after leaving Priestfield.

They're just outside the bottom four but Saunders believes they will come good under Pennock.

Saunders said: "In football you need work, you've got to work, and he's no different.

"The job was offered to him and it's a way back in.

"I think sometimes as a manager you come out of it and you can sit about waiting for ages for the right job to come along.

"I think he's done the right thing, he's gone in there and I'm sure his remit this year has been to steady them and try to climb the league a bit.

"I'm sure he'll do a good job there because he's a good man.”

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