Phillips to decide

...BUT MIDFIELDER IS NOT RULING OUT STONES DEAL

Maidstone player-of-theyear Michael Phillips says he would take a pay cut to sign a new deal at the club.

The midfielder was out of contract at the end of last season and had seemingly played his last game for the club following relegation to National League South.

But he’s stayed in touch with head of football John Still and is keen on coming back – even on less money.

Phillips has had interest from a couple of long-distance National League clubs, and is training with one of them this week.

He’s also trained with a club closer to home from non-league’s top flight but the former Crystal Palace youngster is still without a team.

Phillips was happy at Maidstone – where he played well in numerous positions despite the team’s struggles – and would welcome the chance to return.

He said: “At the moment there’s no offer on the table from anywhere else.

“I’ve been to a couple of teams in pre-season.

“One of them, I went down there for a day just to meet the manager, who showed me around the place, but nothing’s come back from that.

“I’ve had a few calls with John Still about returning to Maidstone. I’m just waiting on that with the financial side and all that.

“I’m not going to lie to the supporters, at the moment it’s looking unlikely.

“I’ve tried my hardest to come back but I respect John and he’s helping me out and giving me advice.

“He’s already made a lot of signings and adding me would increase the budget.

“He said I can come in and train for fitness and to call whenever and keep him updated on the football side. “I’d like to go back to Maidstone, 100%.

“I got along with the fans and John, Hakan (Hayrettin, head coach) and the chairman, and it’s not that far from home. “The teams I’ve been training with are a good four or five hours away.

“I do want to come back – I’d take a pay cut to come back. “Last season didn’t go how I wanted it to but I feel fit and if I went back I feel I could help Maidstone get back up. “Listen, if I get a call from John in the next day or so saying he wanted me to come and sign, I would 110% say yes.”