Ebbsfleet manager Liam Daish has boosted his defensive options by signing two 20-year-olds.

Phil Walsh has joined from Dagenham & Redbridge and Daish has signed Ryan Blake from Brentford.

The Fleet boss said: “I have followed Phil for a while. I wanted to bring in players who can handle the physicality of the Blue Square Bet Premier Division and Phil fits the bill.

"He’s a useful player to have around as he can operate in defence as well as leading the forward line.”

Blake, meanwhile, has rejoined Ebbsfleet on a permanent basis after the Northern Ireland Under-19 international played 11 times for the Fleet on loan from Brentford in 2011.

“It’s great to have Ryan back,” said Daish.

“He enjoyed his time here on loan and we got to see what a good young player he is. He remains very popular in the dressing room and on the terraces at Stonebridge Road.

"It may seem strange to sign a left back when Joe Howe performed so well there last season in an emergency capacity, but signing Ryan will allow us to use Joe’s talents in other ways.”

Liam Daish plans to select his strongest side in Ebbsfleet’s final pre-season friendly against Dover at Stonebridge Road this Saturday.

With the new Blue Square Bet Premier season kick-off at Nuneaton just over a week away, the Fleet boss knows this is the last chance for any dress rehearsals.

Daish (pictured) said: "We are getting there slowly but surely, it’s our last friendly and after that there are no more warm-ups, or easy stuff.

"It’s straight into the real hustle and bustle of Conference football."

Ben Greenhalgh, on trial, might be an option for Daish. He scored a spectacular opener against Maidstone during the 1-1 draw at the Gallagher Stadium on Tuesday night. Daish also had a look at goalkeeper Lucas Menz in the second half. The 23-year-old Canadian played for Vancouver Whitecaps last season.

Daish admitted: "I think I now know the trialists who won’t be around any more."