Ebbsfleet have signed Whitehawk midfielder Sam Deering for an nominal fee.

He becomes the second new arrival at Stonebridge Road in the space of 24 hours after they bought Gosport goalkeeper Nathan Ashmore on Thursday.

Deering has joined until the end of the season and Fleet have an option to extend the deal.

Fleet boss Daryl McMahon said: "Sam’s another player with obvious qualities to strengthen us in certain areas going into this crucial final period.

"He’s been involved in promotion races at this and higher levels and he’ll add another dimension for us.”

Ebbsfleet's double swoop comes at the end of a week which has seen them take just two points from two home games in National League South, offering hope to their title rivals.

McMahon's side are 11 points clear at the top of the table but second-placed Sutton have three games in hand as do Maidstone, who are one place and one point further back.

Fleet owner Dr Abdulla Al-Humaidi was at Stonebridge Road on Saturday to see their 0-0 draw with Hayes & Yeading and he was back on Tuesday night as Havant & Waterlooville held the leaders to a 2-2 draw.

Deering helped Whitehawk reach the second round of the FA Cup this season and he also scored a wonderful goal against Ebbsfleet when the sides played out a 2-2 draw in August.

The 25-year-old has spent most of his career in the Football League with Oxford United, Barnet and Cheltenham Town.

Deering joined Whitehawk in July 2014 and was part of the side which reached the Conference South play-off final last season. He scored 28 goals in 84 appearances for the Hawks, who sacked manager Steve King last month.

Ashmore and Deering could both make their Fleet debuts on Saturday - against Ashmore's former club Gosport.

Meanwhile, Ebbsfleet duo Craig Braham-Barrett and Michael West will spend the rest of the season on loan at Whitehawk.