Ebbsfleet boss Daryl McMahon believes Michael West will rediscover his old magic when he finally emerges from his injury nightmare.

At his peak, West inspired the Fleet to their last promotion in 2010/11 before earning a move to Crewe Alexandra.

But since returning to Stonebridge Road in January 2014, the 24-year-old has barely featured because of injuries.

West suffered serious knee damage just weeks into his second spell with the club and has started only one league game in the last 19 months.

He needed keyhole surgery in the summer and is now working to shake off a thigh problem.

But McMahon said: "His injury record doesn’t concern me.

"I’ve got a personal relationship, I suppose, with Westy. I want him to come back and I want him to do well. That won’t hinder my decision-making but I want him to come back and do well.

"I believe in him and I believe he will come back to the player he was because I see him in there every day.

"I know how much it hurts him when he’s not involved and I want to help him get back to what he was as a player, both physically and mentally, because he’s a big asset to the football club.

"I don’t think there’s any doubt about Westy’s quality. I’m a big fan of Westy.

"I was here when he came here, I played against him when he was here the first time and I like the player a lot.

"He’s a gifted player and a fully-fit, fully-committed Michael West is one of the best players in the league.

"He trained really well on Monday and Tuesday so he’s looking OK."

Read the full story in the Gravesend Messenger.