Ebbsfleet manager Liam Daish hopes to make further signings this week – including retaining two more players from last season’s squad.

The Fleet boss is aiming to tie down Ricky Shakes (pictured) and Dean Pooley for a further season at Stonebridge Road.

Defender Pooley made 23 appearances for the Fleet while Shakes started in 28 games and was used as a substitute a further 19 occasions.

Daish said: "We’re not far away with Dean. I’d like to think we can get something sorted this week and we’re going to try to do something with Ricky as well."

It will increase Daish’s core of experienced players to six with keeper Lance Cronin, defenders Darius Charles and Paul McCarthy and striker Michael Gash already signed.

Daish is also keen to complete the signings of some of the trialists who impressed in Monday night’s 1-0 win at Aveley.

"I think I have been able to make judgements," he added. "Hopefully we can take it a step further on certain players.

"I’ll be likely to put a few names down on contracts and paper by the end of the week but now we’ll see the difficult part of negotiating."

Among those that could be on Daish’s list are left-back Jordan Collins, who has previously played for Weymouth and Cambridge, along with former Gillingham trainee Charlie Howard.

Former Nottingham Forest midfielder Liam Hook also impressed while former Woking, Welling and Fisher defender Michael Kamara caught the eye in defence for 75 minutes.

The Fleet boss has played down a move for former defender Leon Crooks, who watched the game at Aveley, as he would be unable to afford his wages.