A calf injury could keep defender Joe Ellul out of Maidstone’s opening game of the season.

Ellul, voted supporters’ player-of-the-year in United’s National South title triumph, has been struggling for the past couple of weeks.

He’d love to be out there when United kick-off their National League campaign at Altrincham on Saturday but won’t take any chances if it means risking further damage.

“It’s nothing too major but enough to stop me training and playing games,” said Ellul, 34.

“At the same time, I’m not going to rush it.

“Injuries like this, calves and hamstrings, they’re weird injuries, so I’m not going to push it and end up being out for six weeks when I could potentially end up only missing one game.

“It’s frustrating because I was flying through pre-season, looking strong and fit, and I was looking forward to the start of the season.

“I want to mix it with the big boys and hopefully cause some upsets.”

Jack Cawley, a summer signing from Bromley, has been playing alongside George Fowler in Ellul’s absence.

Cawley has plenty of National League experience and would have strong claims to start, whether Ellul was injured or not.

Ellul welcomes the competition for a starting spot, and also feels Raphe Brown shouldn’t be discounted as he returns to fitness.

“You need a competitive squad to push each other to be better every game,” said Ellul.

“It’s something we want amongst ourselves, there’s no issue with another centre-half coming in.

“Ideally you want three or four good centre-halves and Raphe’s a centre-half by trade, he’s back soon, so it’s competitive.

“You’ve got to earn the right to wear the shirt and that’s why Hak (manager Hakan Hayrettin) and Terry (Harris, assistant boss) are here, to make decisions on who plays and doesn’t play, but I’ll be giving my all to get the shirt off someone’s back and play every week.”

Ellul last played in the National League with Maidenhead three years ago and knows how tough the division is.

However, he believes the Stones’ team spirit will once again stand them in good stead, having played a huge part in their National South title success.

With that in mind, he’s confident Hayrettin’s side will hold their own back in the top flight of non-league football.

“We know the seriousness of the situation we’re in,” said Ellul.

“We’re in a league that’s as good as League 2, so we’ve got to pull our socks up and dig deep.

“That’s why we’ve been working so hard during pre-season.

“We know amongst ourselves as players that we’ve got a task on our hands, especially with some of the budgets teams have got in that league.

“But, we’ve said it a number of times, team spirit is a massive factor and we’ve got it in abundance.

“The new boys who’ve come in have offered the same thing we had last year, which was the team morale and the togetherness.

“They’ve fitted in like they were here last year - you’d never know any different.

“It’s good to see and it’s a welcome thing to have. You want everyone singing form the same hymn sheet.

“Anything can happen. Being realistic, I’d take a mid-table finish, stamp our authority on the league and get better next year.

“You’re never going to say we’re going to finish in the top seven but we’re not going to be anywhere near the bottom.

“We’ve got too many good players to be anywhere near that but it is a ruthless league and if you don’t perform and don’t do your job, you’re going to find yourselves in a struggle and a dogfight.

“This is where team spirit comes into it, being willing to go the extra yard and fight for each other.

“We’re all friends, we’re brothers, and that’s what we’re here for, to do ourselves proud and do the club proud.”