Football’s January sales may be open for business but promotion-chasing Ebbsfleet won’t be jostling to the front of the queue for new signings.

Defeat to Dover on Saturday ended their 10-match unbeaten run and manager Steve Brown only had 16 fit players available for selection.

Defender Shane Huke (metatarsal) faces another two months on the sidelines and winger Dominic Green has been sent on loan to Tonbridge.

Meanwhile, full-back Chris Sessegnon missed the Dover game after his mother was rushed to hospital just hours before kick-off.

Brown said: "There are loan deals out there that I’ve been discussing with clubs, that - if they come off - would be a great signing for the club.

"But people seem to be getting obsessed with me bringing in new players. It’s one defeat in 11 games. I like working with this squad. I’ll only add and I’ll only improve if I really feel it’s necessary.

"After one defeat at home to Dover, I don’t see me having to scramble into the loan market or the permanent market."

Naming a settled side was a key factor behind Ebbsfleet’s club record nine successive wins.

"I’ve put trust in 18 players this year," Brown said. They’ve been absolutely terrific for the last 11 games. They’ve been on the front foot, the performances have been decent and the results have been excellent.

"We’ve had a bady day at the office, that’s all, and we stick together. Sess will be back, it’s not a case of him being out with a long-term injury.

"It’s very difficult when you try to go into the loan market and you can’t guarantee the (parent) club that you’re going to play them. They shy away from that.

"I’ve got to try to find a player that will add enough quality that I can justify bringing him in and starting him every week."