Matt Rush can draw on advice from Premier League great Andy Cole as he looks to fire Maidstone to promotion.

Stones new boy Rush worked with former Newcastle and Manchester United striker Cole during his time at Southend.

The five-time Premier League winner was brought to Roots Hall by then-boss Sol Campbell as the Shrimpers’ forwards coach in 2019.

It was a great experience to work with a man who scored 187 top-flight goals and his words of wisdom still ring true today.

“Sol Campbell and Andy Cole were interesting characters - they’re legends of the game - and to learn bits from them was really good,” said Rush.

“Whatever you can gain from people who have played at the highest level is going to make you a better player.

“Andy Cole did a few striker sessions with us.

“He said he was always in and around the box, no matter what.

“Obviously he had to hold up the ball and stuff like that but you’re not going to score unless you’re in and around the box. That was always in his head.

“I know it’s such a simple thing but if you’re saying in your mind that you must get in the box when the ball’s in a wide area or a central area, then you’re in that six-yard box to touch something in.

“The more times you’re in there, the luckier you’re going to get.

“Simple things like that obviously paid off for him, so you’ve got to listen to that advice.”

Rush joined Maidstone after a flying start to the season with surprise package Aveley.

He helped the Essex club to second place in National League South, scoring six goals and contributing 10 assists.

His form attracted interest from Maidstone and it’s where he wants to be.

“It was a good chance to get back into full-time football,” said Rush, who also worked with Stones assistant manager Craig Fagan at Southend.

“I want football to be my life so I enjoy coming in and training as much as I can.

“It’s a good club, and a big club for the level, so I want to come in and get promotion.

“Being part-time at Aveley, I was doing other stuff as well and I wanted to give football a proper go and be the best I can be.

“Working with Craig before and chatting to the gaffer (George Elokobi) when I met him, I think this is the place I can do that.

“When I met the gaffer, it turned my head quite a bit with the way he knew about how I play, the way he manages, how he likes his team to play and what kind of players he likes.

“It fits in to how I like to play and how I think a team will be successful at this level.

“I believed in what he was trying to do with the football club.

“He’s played in the Premier League, the same as Craig, so there’s no better place to learn from in terms of coaches. It’s the right management team to do well.”

Rush enjoyed his time short spell at Aveley, having only joined from Braintree in the summer.

But he’s embraced the greater expectations that come with signing for Maidstone.

“They were really good at Aveley,” said Rush.

“I loved my time there and when I left there was no bitterness or anything like that.

“They recognised it was full-time football, no one tried to stand in my way and that’s why I have so much respect for them.

“We were doing well, always the underdogs, so winning was a big thing.

“Here, you’re expected to win more, which I like.

“It should be that way, especially at Maidstone, with how big they are.

“It’s a different kind of pressure maybe but one I’m thriving on.”