Toby Edser and Craig Tanner are competing for a starting spot at Ebbsfleet - but it’s the friendliest battle you’re likely to see.

The ball-playing midfielders have both impressed in Fleet colours during their unbeaten start to the campaign.

It’s been Edser’s chance to shine lately, the 23-year-old scoring one and then winning a penalty during last weekend’s FA Cup Third Qualifying Round win at Hanwell Town.

They’re yet to start in the same Ebbsfleet side but have played together at Aldershot.

“We’ve both played together before but I think competition is good and it will drive us both on,” said Edser.

“Tans has had a lot of starts this year, he’s done really well, scored goals and got assists.

“I was just waiting for an opportunity, whether that was coming in for Tans or for someone else to play.

“I’ve got a really good relationship with Tans. We know each other from Aldershot, we live in the same area and travel in together. He helps me a lot and gives me advice.

“If there is competition between us then it’s only a good thing but if we can play together then it’s even better.”

With so much quality across the Fleet squad in midfield areas, Edser knows he’s got to be on top of his game.

It’s why boss Dennis Kutrieb could turn to Edser, Ben Chapman and Jack Paxman against Hanwell, with no sign of disruption to the team.

“It drives you forward, you’ve got to be on your game every day and when your chance comes then you’ve got to be ready to take it,” explained Edser.

“Tans and I are quite similar in the sense that we can both play in that number 10 position. But it’s good also to have Josh Wright who is box-to-box and battles for you, that’s not to say me and Tans can’t do that but physically Josh is a lot better.“When you look at the midfield, in the four we’ve got Chris Solly or Christian N’Guessan, in the eight we’ve got Kieran Monlouis, Jack Paxman, Josh - there’s so many players that can come in.

“But it’s not just come in and do a job for the team, it’s about coming in and doing well."

Edser scored on his Fleet debut, coming off the bench to net against Chippenham on the opening day, and he’s enjoying his time at Stonebridge Road.

He’s happy just to be playing again after an injury-disrupted campaign at Aldershot last term, let alone to be playing under a manager in Kutrieb whose football outlook aligns perfectly.

“I’m really enjoying it,” said Edser. “I love the philosophy that the gaffer has set, really enjoying my football and training day in, day out. The lads are great, they’ve welcomed me really well.

“I suffered with injuries last year for the first time in my career so that was a new experience for me, learning to deal with them. Fingers crossed this year I can stay injury-free and keep enjoying my football.

“I broke my metatarsal last year and was out for 12 weeks in all. I came back and ruptured the lateral ligaments in my ankle so I was out for 10 weeks with that.

“I’d never had an injury before that so it was difficult, but now I’m just happy to be back playing.”

Edser admitted it was tough adjusting to a spell on the sidelines, both mentally and physically.

“It was a bit of both,” he conceded. “You want to help the team and it was new to me.

“Not being involved in training, you’re very lonely during the day when the team are training, you’re doing your own rehab or are in the gym.

"I wasn’t able to do the thing that I love doing most, which is playing.

“It means this season means that little bit more, the philosophy is so enjoyable. It would have been great anyway just to play football, but this philosophy is an added bonus as it suits me so much.”