There's good news for Maidstone - injured striker Jake Embery is a quick healer.

The 19-year-old suffered a broken collarbone at Folkestone last Tuesday and is facing between five and six weeks out.

He'll definitely miss the start of the National League South campaign but is well on the mend and hopes to return ahead of schedule.

United have big plans for Embery, a prolific forward at Isthmian League level, and the quicker they get him back, the better.

Embery said: "The doctor said five to six weeks but I went to the gym on Monday with Dave Richardson, the fitness coach, I had a really hard session and felt no pain at all.

"It's annoying coming right at the start of pre-season, when we're starting to gel as a team, but you'd rather it happened now than during the season.

"I've only ever had one other injury - a broken wrist.

"I was told six weeks for that but was back after a month, so I'm hoping for the same again.

"You always heal fast when you're young, so you never know.

"The gaffer's told me to keep positive and not lose confidence over it.

"He's been on to me about working with Dave and Beth (Cooper, physio) to keep my fitness as high as I can, so I come straight back in, rather than having to play catch-up."

Embery has noticed a big change in the atmosphere at the Gallagher.

He said the mood last season "wasn't the greatest" as an unhappy squad spiralled towards relegation.

It was tricky for Embery and Justin Amaluzor, two players signed with this season in mind.

But it's a fresh start with a new side and Embery said: "The whole set-up, with the management and what’s going on behind the scenes, everything's changed so much and it’s all for the better.

"It feels a lot more professional, all the players are there on time, everyone’s where they should be, when they should be.

"Obviously it’s going to take time gelling the team but I think we’ll get there.

"The mood in the camp last season wasn’t the greatest.

• A natural goalscorer
• Jake takes his chance

"There were a lot of people wanting to play for themselves but you can’t blame them.

"They were relegated and they’re trying to further their careers at the end of the day.

"For me and Justin, we were just trying to impress as best we could in the time we were there.

"We had no pressure because of the position we were in, and we both did well.

"After playing at a lower level, it was can I play higher?

"I always thought to myself I could but now I have done it and that should help me coming down into National South.

"I won't be fazed by it and hopefully we can regroup and go back up."

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