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Maidstone United handed triple boost as injured forwards near return

Maidstone's injured forwards are on the way back.

Jake Embery, who broke his collarbone in a pre-season friendly at Folkestone, is set to resume training next week.

And the same goes for Justin Amaluzor (hamstring) and Jonny Edwards (thigh), who have sat out the past two games.

Jake Embery is nearing fitness Picture: Sean Aidan
Jake Embery is nearing fitness Picture: Sean Aidan

Head of football John Still said: "Jake should start training next week.

"We probably won't put him straight in because he's been out a little while but certainly he could come off the bench for 15/20 minutes and work his socks off.

"After Saturday we've got a free week so he can work really hard.

"Jonny should be next week and Justin should definitely be next week."

Maidstone have scored only four goals in their opening four National League South matches - and three of those came in one game - so it's clear they need more options.

Still expects Embery and Amaluzor to bring goals while Edwards' work rate and presence offer another dimension.

The Stones boss, whose side host winless Slough on Saturday, said: "Jake has always been a goalscorer, Justin has always been a goalscorer, so we look forward to reintroducing them.

Jonny Edwards is on the way back Picture: Steve Terrell
Jonny Edwards is on the way back Picture: Steve Terrell

"Goalscoring is instinct, I'm not being funny.

"People say how did so-and-so score 30 goals, he's been six yards out every time but that's instinct.

"If someone had a shot that hit the bar or hit the goalkeeper and you had three centre-halves and Michael Owen around it, I bet the ball falls to Michael Owen. That's instinct.

"I think Justin's got instinct and we believe Jake's got instinct. That's not a coachable thing. You have that or you don't.

"You can coach other sorts of goals but the balls that fall around the six-yard box, you can't coach it.

"That's why people pay millions and millions of pounds at the top level for people to score goals because most goals are scored in the six-yard box.

Justin Amaluzor has been missed after suffering a hamstring problem Picture: Steve Terrell
Justin Amaluzor has been missed after suffering a hamstring problem Picture: Steve Terrell

"Jake and Justin will make a difference to us and so will Jonny.

"He's got deceptive pace and can get in behind people."

Maidstone were unable to do a deal with trialist striker Matt McClure before the start of the season and it's unlikely there will be any more arrivals for now.

Still said: "I don't think there will be at this particular moment but the club have been brilliant in terms of helping us get people in.

"Could we do with one or two extra? Possibly, because we've got kids on the bench, but if we get those three forwards back, and Lewis Knight in defence, that will make the squad stronger.

"I would think a week or 10 days and they'll all be back."

Read more: The latest sports news in Kent

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