Maidstone United add Crystal Palace winger Andre Coker on loan until the end of the season

Andre Coker has joined out-of-form Maidstone United on loan from Crystal Palace until the end of the season.

The Stones are without a win in their last 12 National League matches which has seen them tumble down the table to 14th.

Manager Jay Saunders saw top scorer Joe Pigott land a move to League One side AFC Wimbledon last week and knows he must bring in reinforcements if Maidstone are to put together a late run for the play-offs.

The long-standing boss has finally got his man after Coker impressed for Palace in a pre-season friendly at Maidstone six months ago.

The winger has been a regular in the Eagles’ development side for the past couple of seasons, chipping in with goals and assists for his team.
On signing the 20-year-old, Saunders said: “It was the first time I’d seen him, I was impressed with him and I mentioned to the management team afterwards at Palace that if you’re ever looking to get him out for games could they keep us informed.

“We’ve monitored him through the season with the under-23s there and then last week I got a phone call from Palace, and a friend of mine coaches there as well, and they said he might be available. It was an opportunity we jumped at.

“Obviously losing the attacking players we’ve lost recently I felt it was an area we could do with help, especially losing Jamar Loza through injury, and Tom Wraight as well.

“He’s got good pace, good feet, he can play a few positions as well across the front three and he’s just different to what we’ve got. It’s a good opportunity for him to come out and get men’s football.

“I’m confident with the size of him and the ability he’s got that he can come out and do that, as long as he works hard, which I’m sure he’ll do, and he’ll be a good addition to the squad.”