Simon Johnson has left Maidstone after being told he couldn't be guaranteed first team football.

The talented midfielder only joined in the summer after six years at Eastbourne, however, after a chat with manager Jay Saunders he has decided to move on.

Saunders said: "He came to see me and said he wanted to play, but I had to be honest with him and tell him he is currently down the pecking order.

"Alex Brown started the season well, and since I have had Joe Healy and Jack Paxman in the middle they have made the positions their own.

"We also have James Rogers back from his loan spell at Folkestone, and he is an important player for us.

"He (Johnson) had an injury and a bit of illness at the start of the season and that put him behind the rest.

"He's a good player, I just couldn't guarantee him first team football and so we've come to an agreement and he has left."

Saunders added: "With no reserve team this season it's hard to keep everyone ticking over and give them all a game.

"Sadly, I can't play everyone."