By Alex Hoad

Andy Ford's reshaping of the Maidstone squad has continued with two new faces set to line up when the Stones return to Ryman League Premier Division action against Margate on Monday.

The big freeze accounted for the Stones’ match at Folkestone this week, but didn’t prevent Ford, pictured, from sealing the signing of Hastings United midfielder Michael Phillips.

Maidstone-based Phillips began his career at Gillingham before being forced out of the professional game by injuries.

Ford said: "The fact that Hastings tried to keep him shows how much he was liked down at Pilot Field. We do need a change in midfield and we still have not got enough in there yet. Hopefully another one will be coming in on loan before the game.

"I’m not sure if he’ll (Phillips) go straight in on Monday, he may have to start from the bench."

The Stones boss said he wants his players to hit the ground running against old foes Margate.

"Every game you want to start quickly out of the blocks," he said: "Hopefully the players will be fresh at the very least. Margate played the other day and lost, maybe we are catching them at the right time."