By Matthew Panting

Ebbsfleet striker Michael Gash, pictured, will be fit for the start of the season, despite missing the first week of pre-season training.

The 23-year-old, who was on the verge of a move to York last week, injured his ankle last Wednesday but has been given the all-clear and is expected to resume training shortly.

"Michael went over on it in training on the first day back," said Fleet assistant boss Paul McCarthy.

"He went for a run and just turned over on it but he has been given the all-clear and should be fit and raring to go quite soon."

Gash will take no part in the Fleet’s first pre-season friendly at Aveley on Monday night but McCarthy revealed the club’s two other top players – keeper Lance Cronin and defender Darius Charles – are not expected to feature as boss Liam Daish continues to cast his eye over dozens of trialists.

"If we had a squad of 14 or 15 players assembled then we’d play those but we’re not in that position yet," said McCarthy.

"It’s going to be a chance for the lads on trial to show what they can do.

"We’ve had quite a few trialists come in. On Tuesday there were around 30, including a lot of good quality youngsters.

"It’s a fresh start, we wouldn’t have liked it this way but those are the cards we’ve been dealt so we have to play with them."

Ebbsfleet will start their Blue Square Premier campaign with a trip to Altrincham on August 8 before hosting Cambridge (August 11) and Kidderminster (August 15).