Daryl McMahon may be forced to come out of retirement for Ebbsfleet's trip to Gateshead on Tuesday.

The manager has limited options for the Fleet's penultimate National League fixture because of injuries and illness.

McMahon, 35, quit playing in 2015 and has only made cameo appearances in the Kent Senior Cup since then - but will get his boots on if required.

He and coach Stacy Long could be on the bench at the International Stadium as Fleet bid to keep their play-off hopes alive.

Sean Shields was injured by a heavy tackle against Sutton on Saturday while sickness forced Andy Drury out of that game at half-time.

McMahon said: "We're down to the bare bones.

"I've got to go for a run and so has Stacy so we might have to use us.

"We're struggling for numbers. At the minute, we've got 14 players but we'll see what happens.

"It doesn't look good (for Shields) at the minute but as always when you have an impact injury, you don't know how it is until the swelling comes down.

"We'll assess it and see where he's at but I wouldn't expect him to be fit again this season.

"He's a big player for us. He's had a great season and we will miss him but it gives an opportunity for somebody else to step into his shoes and perform."

Victory in the North East would lift Ebbsfleet to fifth going into the final round of fixtures.

A draw would take them above Dover but leave the door open for ninth-placed Bromley, who play Barrow on Tuesday.

Gateshead, who sit 14th, ran Dover close on Saturday before going down 3-2 at Crabble.

"They'll be tough," McMahon said. "They've done really well under Steve Watson since he's gone there. They got to the semi-final of the FA Trophy and they're organised.

"They've got some good attacking players. Jordan Preston wide I really like, I think he's decent and they're a good side.

"We've seen them quite a lot in recent weeks and they're all tough games at this level."

Fleet made the long journey on Monday and have stayed overnight.