Kentish Football 
Injury ravaged Stones await clearance for Irish midfielder - EXCLUSIVE
The Maidstone United joint-manager has an injury-ravaged squad to contend with and is expected to throw some inexperienced players into the mix in front of a passionate four-figure crowd.
Goalkeeper Pat Mullin is in line for a return to the side as Steve Northwood is a major doubt with a thigh injury and Walker revealed that Nathan Paul, Sam Tydeman and Ben Lewis are struggling to shake of knocks.
The Stones picked up festive wins over Horsham (2-1) and East Thurrock United (3-1) before burning out, losing 2-1 at Carshalton Athletic last Saturday.
Reflecting on the holiday period, Walker said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk: “A little bit up and down really. We’ve had a good start and then unfortunately we struggled when we shouldn’t.
“We had two good results against East Thurrock and Horsham but came badly unstuck against Carshalton. We were a poor second best, which was very disappointing.”
He added: “The amount of injuries that we’ve got eventually caught up with us. We’re paying the price for that, yet again, we’re without six for this weekend. It’s going to be a very tough game.”
Maidstone United will be looking forward to a very lucrative day as AFC Wimbledon always travel in numbers.
“It’s a game for the fans, a big game for the club but it’s just another game for us to get three points,” said Walker, treating it as just another game.
“We’re looking for a much improved performance from the players.”
And Walker is looking to his own star striker, Mo Takaloo to outshine Jon Main.
Main has scored four goals for the Dons since his big money move from Tonbridge Angels (where he scored 20 before the switch) in November.
But if the 26-year-old striker does recover from a knock he sustained against Hendon on new year's day – Main scored Tonbridge Angels’ only goal against the Stones back in September – then the hosts have to be on red alert to keep him off the scoresheet again.
“He’s been consistent in his goalscoring over the last few years, not surprising that someone’s come in and paid a lot of money for him,” said Walker.“We will keep the shackles on him but Mo Takaloo is on good form for us. We’re at home and we’ll be looking to put them under pressure than the other way round.”
Walker is relying on the Northern Irish Football Association to clear Conor Hagan’s international clearance in time for Saturday’s game.
“We’ve got major problems,” admitted Walker on the club’s injury crisis.
But he added: “The good thing is Conor Hagan, signed him from Portadown from Northern Ireland.”
Explaining the transfer of the central midfielder, Walker said: “I’m involved in a coaching scheme with the Northern Ireland FA and I heard he was available through that.
"He’s moved with a family member to Rainham and he’s come along but we’re waiting for international clearance and the Northern Ireland FA are adamant he will be cleared tomorrow.”
The 25-year-old has played for Wolverhampton Wanderers, Coleraine, Newry Town, Cliftonville, Lisburn Distillery before moving to Portadown and he represented his country at international level as a teenager.
Updated: 16:15 Friday 4th January 2008
Maidstone United received international clearance at 2:15pm today to enable new signing Conor Hagan to make his debut against AFC Wimbledon.
Visit Maidstone United’s website: www.maidstoneunited.co.uk
Maidstone United v AFC Wimbledon
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 5th January 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Bourne Park, Central Park Stadium, Eurolink, Church Road, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 3SB
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd