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Maidstone United manager Harry Wheeler has the squad he wants for National League survival

Harry Wheeler's heavy transfer dealings are over after telling Maidstone players they are good enough to stay up.

Wheeler has the squad where he wants it and is ready to go on the attack to get United out of the National League bottom four, starting at home to play-off contenders Gateshead on Saturday.

The Stones boss said: "Ideally, we don't want to keep a revolving door because it loses all continuity.

Maidstone United manager Harry Wheeler Picture: Andy Jones
Maidstone United manager Harry Wheeler Picture: Andy Jones

"I felt we had to do it for a bit and now I feel the lads that were already here and the ones we've brought in are great together as a group.

"They're great players and we don't need to keep tweaking it and we're not looking to tweak it any more.

"If the odd thing comes up or we have a long-term injury, then we'll look to strengthen again but at the moment we're quite happy with what's here."

Maidstone are second-bottom, four points from safety, after one win in 10 games.

But rather than worry about their form, Wheeler has told his side to relax.

His message paid off as United beat Woking 3-2 in an FA Trophy replay on Tuesday night and the manager wants his side to build on that against The Heed.

He said: "I think the lads have just got to take the pressure off a little bit.

"It's football. We will do everything we can to win but they've also got to relax a little bit and enjoy it.

"You put so much pressure on yourself, you won't perform.

Harry Wheeler wants Maidstone to entertain against Gateshead this weekend Picture: Andy Jones
Harry Wheeler wants Maidstone to entertain against Gateshead this weekend Picture: Andy Jones

"We've relaxed a little bit this week, I've told them how good they are.

"We're not looking to recruit and recruit, they are good enough to stay up and we just need to keep them believing that and something like the FA Trophy win will help."

Striker Jake Robinson is available to make his home debut having been cup-tied against Woking, as is defender Charlie Wassmer.

The Stones have been seen as defensive under Wheeler but the shackles are off against Gateshead.

Wheeler said: "They're right up there but I make it very clear, we're going in to win the game, we're not coming here thinking it'll be a great point because they're seventh.

"We're at home, we want to win the game, we want to be on the front foot and you'll see we'll come out the blocks and we're not here to take a draw.

"We got a home win in the Trophy and we'll carry that into Saturday and go out there to entertain."

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