Myles Kenlock is enjoying his football again with Ebbsfleet.

The 27-year-old defender has struggled to settle down after leaving Ipswich following eight years at Portman Road.

He had spells at Barrow and Aldershot last season and then linked up with the Fleet at the end of October.

“I’ve been here a few months now and I think I’ve settled in all right,” said Kenlock, who has been one of the Fleet’s best players in recent months.

“I’m getting on with everyone well and to be fair the boys have made it easy for me and the manager as well. I’m enjoying myself.”

While his footballing friends were busy training and starting the season at their respective clubs, Kenlock was on trial with EFL teams.

But when nothing dropped, he was eventually given an opportunity by Ebbsfleet boss Dennis Kutrieb, who correctly spotted that Kenlock would be a perfect fit at Stonebridge Road.

“I was training with teams and went on trial at League 2 and League 1 clubs but nothing came about,” reflected Kenlock.

“I had a two-month period where I was on my own. I would say it was tough because all your friends are going to training every day and you’re just sat there at home, trying to stay motivated.

“But I’m enjoying it at Ebbsfleet, being able to train every day again and just knowing on the weekend that I’ve got a match. That’s good for the mentality. It makes you appreciate it more.

“In my head I always knew that a team would come. I feel that the teams I’ve joined in the last few years haven’t been the right fit in terms of style of play, so that’s why I feel like I haven’t kicked on, but I’m here now and I feel at home.”

Kenlock has spent the majority of his career at left-back - he’s made more than 50 appearances in the Championship for Ipswich - so fitting into a three-man backline has been a new experience. But it’s a challenge that is bringing the best out of him.

“Normally I’d play in a back four but I’ve adjusted to the three easily, I’d say,” he added. “I’m comfortable on the ball and defending as well.

“Normally if there was a three then I’d be playing as a wing-back but I’m more enjoying the back three. I’m more compact in a three so I feel like I need to organise more and make sure we’re tight.

“I normally play in a four and am used to just going up and down. If I’m playing in a four, I wouldn’t say that I’m a bombing full-back but I do like to go forward so if I’m in a three I wouldn’t say I’m attacking but it might look that way as I’m used to doing it.

“The results haven’t been what I feel like we have deserved but I think they will come with time. I’m pleased with my performances but it’s more about the team.”

Kenlock finished the 2021/22 season on loan at Colchester and then departed Ipswich.

The Suffolk outfit enjoyed title success last season and are on the verge of the Premier League, but Kenlock has nothing but good things to say about the club. He’s still in touch with the likes of Luke Woolfenden and Conor Chaplin.

“I enjoyed Ipswich, I joined as a kid and they grew me into who I am,” he said. “I learnt the majority of my stuff there and most of my experience on the pitch came from Ipswich.

“I was there for eight years and I still look out for their results. I still speak to a few of the boys and I’ve got friends there so I want them to do well at the end of the year. Hopefully they can keep it going but I know it’s tight up there.

“I just felt like it was time to move on. I didn’t feel any bad blood towards them or anything, I just thought it was time.”

But, for now, Kenlock finds himself in a relegation battle with the Fleet.

He’s not one to study league tables but knows there’s enough quality in the squad to steer themselves away from danger, starting at home to Hartlepool this Saturday.

“Obviously the table is always there in the back of your mind but I feel that it’s more important to take each game as it comes,” he added.

“Even though the results haven’t been what we’ve needed them to be, I’ve still been going into every match thinking we can beat any team in this league.

“We just need to have better game management and we should be all right.”

Ebbsfleet are away to Maidenhead on Tuesday night.