Maidstone midfielder Stuart Lewis was given time off following the sudden death of his friend Ugo Ehiogu.

The pair worked together as youth coaches at Tottenham, with Stones boss Jay Saunders saying Lewis had been ‘affected quite badly’ by the news.

Former Aston Villa and England star Ehiogu suffered a cardiac arrest at Spurs’ training ground on Thursday and died in hospital the next day.

Saunders said Lewis’ ankle wasn’t 100% for Saturday’s National League game at Forest Green but wanted him to stay at home anyway.

He said: “He’s a close friend of Ugo Ehiogu who unfortunately passed away in the week and he works with him and I think it’s affected Stuart quite badly, so I just felt it would be nice for him to stay at home this weekend and get his head right.

“I think it’s been a bit of a blow to him so hopefully he’ll be back to his lively self and can go out and be involved on Tuesday.”