Maidstone boss Jay Saunders says developing a team spirit among his new-look squad is his biggest priority during pre-season training, which starts this weekend.

Saunders is set to welcome several trialists to training at Mote Park as he seeks another three or four players to complete his squad for an assault on the Ryman League, Division 1 South title.

Saunders (pictured) said: "The first few sessions will be pretty light, we’ll ease them into it. Team spirit is a big thing for me and that is something which is going to be important for us.

"I think that is one of the things which helped us when we came in at the end of last season and with a lot of new faces next season, it’s important to try and get a team spirit together as soon as we can.

"I’ll be looking at booking paintballing or something similar to give the lads the chance to bond off the field."

Saunders is preparing to switch his focus away from a long-term striking target – understood to be Margate’s Shaun Welford – and added: "We can’t go into the season with two strikers so we’ll be looking at a couple of young players who have been released from senior clubs and a couple more from higher levels."

Meanwhile, the Stones’ pre-season fixture at Welling United on Tuesday, July 19, has been cancelled as the Wings will now be playing Gillingham instead.

Maidstone will visit Thamesmead Town on that date, kick-off 7.45pm.

Meanwhile. United have unveiled 22-year-old Jim Bodle as their reserves manager.