Sean Shields is ready to help Ebbsfleet fight for the National League South title after his surprise recall from loan.

The 24-year-old winger has spent most of this season away from Stonebridge Road, playing games for Chelmsford, Margate and Hemel Hempstead.

But he was back in a Fleet shirt on Saturday after being named in boss Daryl McMahon’s starting XI at Bath.

Shields said: "It was great. I can’t lie, I was buzzing.

"I got the call from the gaffer on my day off, Wednesday, after I’d played (for Hemel) on Tuesday night. I was thrilled with the news because it was great to get a chance after quite an up-and-down season.

"I’d done well on loan again but hadn’t thought about (Ebbsfleet) in all honesty. It was a surprise to get the call because I hadn’t anticipated it."

Shields was left cursing his luck after an ankle injury in the final week of pre-season.

He said: "After building up six weeks of fitness and feeling quite sharp, it was a frustrating time to get injured. That led to me missing the first 13 or 14 games.

"I felt I would definitely be involved in the squad, possibly starting, so that’s not the start I wanted to the season. I had to go out on loan to get my fitness."

Illness limited Shields’ involvement at Chelmsford but he found his form under Nikki Bull at Margate.

He said: "Sometimes it’s hard to meet a new group of people but at Margate I fitted in easily. They didn’t have any natural wide men. When I went there, they looked to get a lot of the ball to me and I could flourish."

Margate were so impressed they made an offer to sign Shields on an 18-month contract.

He was ready to go but the deal changed and the move collapsed.

Shields said: "Even though I didn’t want to leave Ebbsfleet, they were offering me
first-team football and – initially – a contract beyond this season.

"The gaffer (McMahon) didn’t want me to go but said if that was the best thing for my future, he would stand by me. But I don’t know what happened. It fell through and, all of a sudden, it was just a deal until the end of the season which I decided not to sign.

"The back-and-forth after that was mentally quite tough because I was in No Man’s Land.

"Maybe it’s a blessing that it didn’t go through because I’ve been given my chance here and that’s all I’ve ever wanted.

"I’m fit, I’m ready and want to do my part to help the team win the league."