Maidstone manager George Elokobi will take any interest in top scorer Aaron Blair in his stride.

Blair has been a big success at the Gallagher Stadium, scoring his 15th goal of the season in the Stones’ 1-0 win over Welling on New Year’s Day.

The departures of Antony Papadopoulos, Matt Rush and Matt Bentley in the space of 24 hours led to speculation among fans that Blair would be next.

That doesn’t concern Elokobi who knows interest comes with the territory when players are performing well.

“For me, as a manager, I focus on what I can control,” he said. “Aaron Blair is still here, so that’s my focus.

“We’ve got a group of players that I need to look after.

“I can’t control what’s out there externally.

“Clubs are looking at us and thinking that our environment develops players.

“We’ve got the right balance between development and winning football matches, so if that happens, we are proud for these players.

“I’m not saying we’re going to lose Aaron Blair but the ones that have moved a bit higher, like Levi Amantchi, we are super-proud of them because they are part of what we’ve helped to develop in our environment.”

Maidstone are working hard to find replacements for their departed trio.

Papadopoulos was recalled from his loan spell by Crawley and named in the starting XI for their League 1 fixture against Charlton, only for the game to be postponed.

Rush returned to parent club Sutton after they struck a deal to sell him to Maidstone’s National League South title rivals, Boreham Wood.

He scored twice on his Wood debut in a 5-1 win over Slough.

Bentley, meanwhile, was released from his contract after being offered a US scholarship.

“These are the challenges you have to overcome,” said Elokobi.

“Work is going on behind the scenes. I can’t say too much.

“Internally we are ensuring we leave no stone unturned but it has to be the right characters that come into Maidstone United Football Club to try to help our group of players.

“They have to buy into our culture, our values here.

“We have to be patient, our fans have to be patient and we’ll try to get the right players in and try to make sure we settle them in.

“But I’m more concerned with the players that have performed for us, the ones that are here. We can’t control the uncontrollables.”

Papadopoulos’ loan was up in January and his recall was unsurprising given his form at Maidstone, with the midfielder deserving a chance in the Football League.

Rush’s exit was harder to take for supporters after losing the forward to a league rival.

It’s the second time this season Maidstone have seen a loanee recalled and sold to Boreham Wood, having lost Jon Benton in the same circumstances.

“There’s always the chance when clubs put in a 24-hour recall that you’re going to lose them,” said Elokobi.

“Paps, I thought he was terrific.

“He had a slow start but then got the hang of our environment.

“We made sure we pushed him, you can’t settle at Maidstone.

“Under George Elokobi, you never settle because these players they have to improve, they have to develop.

“The ones we believe can do that, we’ll keep pushing them to hit their full potential and Paps and Matt Rush were players we could improve.

“So when that happens, of course they’re going to attract admirers.

“I don’t know what’s happening with Paps, to be honest, but Matt Rush, I think he was told he wasn’t going to be in the plans at Sutton so Boreham Wood have made a move and he’s chosen Boreham Wood.

“From me, as a manager, it’s thank you for all they did for us but we have to focus on our environment and we’ll find other players to come in who can help us.”

Elokobi understands supporters’ frustration but knows he has the backing of owners Terry Casey and Oliver Ash to bring in new players.

“Everyone will be frustrated because it’s good players that we’ve lost who contributed positively,” said Elokobi.

“The recruitment committee and the director of football, they will identify the right players and when those players are available, our owners will back myself.

“At the moment, we need to stay calm, we need to stay patient and we need to focus on the next game and the next training session.

“I can’t control when I can’t see.

“The owners have always backed me. They backed me to bring in Papadopoulos, they backed me to bring in Matt Rush.

“We will bring players in but they have to be the right ones.”

The exit of Bentley, who signed a one-year deal last summer, was announced on New Year’s Day.

He’s off to America to play for Chattanooga Red Wolves in USL League 1 and study for a master’s degree in economics.

The 26-year-old scored on his final appearance as Maidstone won 3-1 at Tonbridge on Boxing Day.

Elokobi said: “Matt Bentley’s been outstanding for us throughout his time at Maidstone United and I wish him all the very best with his scholarship in the States.

“It’s something we spoke about and I encouraged him to do it. It’s important we look after the person first, before the player, and that’s part of the culture here.”

Maidstone are without a game this weekend as scheduled hosts Weymouth are in FA Trophy fourth-round action.

The fixture has been rearranged for Tuesday, January 21.