Manager Daryl McMahon hopes home comforts will help new signing Jack Payne find his best form at Ebbsfleet.

Payne, 25, spent last season at Blackpool in League 2, helping the Tangerines win promotion through the play-offs.

The former Gillingham midfielder was on loan at Leyton Orient the previous season after falling out of favour at Peterborough.

But now he’s back with his parents in Cliffe and ready to start a new chapter in the National League.

McMahon said: "He’s a good player, a good age and he’s coming home as well, which is important for him because he’s got two young sons.

"He played a good number of games last year for Blackpool in a successful season and prior to that, I’d seen him play at Orient when he was on loan there.

"He had a decent start to his career at Gillingham and probably wants to put his roots down again.

"He had a turbulent two years in terms of everything, family life, but now he’s signed for us and he’s back home so hopefully we can get the best out him."

Payne’s signing last Thursday was followed by the arrival of Bagasan Graham from Chelmsford on Monday.

Graham, 24, scored twice against Fleet last season including the opening goal in the play-off final.

McMahon said: "I see him as a good left-back and he can do all three roles (winger and wing-back) well.

"He’s similar to someone like Jack Powell. In game terms he’s young but in age, he’s not that young.

"Once you settle down somewhere, you start finding yourself more as a player.

"Hopefully, we can push him on to another level. He’s definitely got the right attitude and mentality."