Liam Sole believes Maidstone are benefiting from the versatility in their ranks.

Wideman Sole is among a number of players who can operate in different positions.

It’s a handy weapon to have in a squad that’s been kept tight on numbers by boss George Elokobi.

Sole has started the last two games after recovering from an ankle ligament injury, helping the Stones to FA Cup and Kent Senior Cup wins over Torquay and Gillingham.

The former St Albans man had been in good form before going off injured in Maidstone’s win at Weymouth at the start of September.

Physio Paul Smith’s got him back in good time and Sole is looking to kick on, wherever he plays.

“I did a lot of rehab with Smudge and thanks to him for getting me back out there as quickly as possible,” said Sole.

“Hopefully now I can get back to what I was doing and kick on from there.

“The team’s on a winning run and it doesn’t matter if one of us gets injured, someone can come in and fill in a position.

“All credit to the boys and how hard everyone works in training because we’ve got so many players who can play in many different positions.

“Over the course of a season, you’re going to pick up injuries so it’s great that we’ve got that in our squad.

“I try and get myself about.

“It’s always good to have one or two positions in your locker so you can step up if you need to do a job, or if you’re playing a different system or formation, you can slot in.

'It's in their DNA to want to do well’

“I think that’s key, being a player who can play in more than one position.”

Maidstone started their seven-match winning streak while Sole was sidelined.

He’s glad to be back to play his part, winning the penalty for Maidstone’s opener against Gillingham after a fine run.

“They say winning becomes a habit and we wanted to make sure we kept that going,” said Sole.

“That’s seven in a row now and it was important for us to get the win. It was a good performance against a good Gillingham side.

“We got the two goals in the first half and managed the game well.

“We’ve got to take that into another important game against Farnborough in the league on Saturday and try and keep that winning run and that winning mentality going.

“We’ve put ourselves in a good position but we talk about a few results where we’ve drawn or let in last-minute goals and we don’t want to look back at the end of the season and think we could have done better here or there.

“We’re on a good run and have to keep it going.”

Sole was among a number of unnamed trialists during a busy summer for Elokobi.

He proved his worth, with his signing confirmed shortly before the opening game of the season.

“Trials are always difficult - it doesn’t matter where you go - but I’ve been on a few in my career so it gets easier,” said Sole.

“The gaffer and Craig (Fagan, assistant boss) and all the boys were very welcoming, which made it a lot easier.

“I always go back to my first game at Bromley and the gaffer just said go and play your game, which was a massive weight off my shoulders.

“You maybe get an inkling you might get offered something but you keep it in the back of your mind because anything can happen in football - things can change in an instant.

”You never want to think, I’ve done well enough, I’m going to get something, and then nothing comes of it and you get disheartened. You’ve just got to play your football and see what comes of it.”