Dean Rance says competition for places is driving the standards even higher at Ebbsfleet.

Fit-again Rance is vying for a spot in midfield with the likes of Jack Payne, Andy Drury, Jack Powell, Luke Coulson and Myles Weston.

He’s the longest-serving Fleet player and has made more appearances (172) than any of his team-mates but has been left on the bench in recent weeks.

Rance, who missed the start of the season after having an operation to remove excess cartilage from the inside of his knee, is now trying to force his way back in.

He said: "It’s not been an ideal start but I’ve been training well and doing extra sessions to get back as quick as I can. It’s just the match fitness and sharpness that needs to come and it will.

"The competition for places drives you on. There’s people on the bench or in the stand who would get into most teams in this league so you have to perform every week and if you’re not, you won’t be playing.

"I’d rather that than turn up every week knowing you’re going to be playing.

"It’s healthy competition. We all get on but we’re all here to play football.

"We encourage if we’re not in the team because we all want the same thing. I want to be playing every week but only performances will dictate that."

Rance, 26, is now in his fifth season at Ebbsfleet.

He said: "I came here to get us up the leagues.

"I’ve been excited to start the season and I’ve been enjoying the games but I don’t just want to be playing at this level, I want to push on again and go into the League."