New Ebbsfleet captain Luke O’Neill is determined to deliver for manager Josh Wright.

The duo were team-mates at Leyton Orient and Gillingham before linking up again at Stonebridge Road.

Wright’s now the manager and it’s only served to double down on O’Neill’s desire to turn around the club’s fortunes.

“He’s a great friend of mine and now he’s the manager,” said O’Neill. “It hurts, especially with him in charge now. I’m desperate and I know the boys are desperate to get that win.

“I’ve known gaffer for so many years now and he’s got that authority about him. He’s a massive leader.

“He’s all for the players, he’ll look after you and put your arm around you when you need it. He’s been out there with us so he knows how the boys are feeling, he’s been there. He knows the boys better than anyone.

“I’m sure it will turn, I want it to turn and I’m desperate for it. The boys are desperate for it too.”

O’Neill has missed plenty of the season through injury but he’s taken over as captain for the past two matches.

The 33-year-old got through 90 minutes in the Boxing Day defeat at Southend and was visibly hurting following the defeat.

“I’m happy to be captain,” he said. “I’m a leader so I’m happy to take it on.

“We’re so frustrated because we want do so well and get that win. Everyone is trying.

“It hurts so much. I’ve been out for three months now and I’ve been itching to get back out there.

“I know we lost on Boxing Day but I can’t wait to get back out there and make it right, for myself, for the team, for the gaffer and the fans.

“I’ve been trying to get back. I’ve had a few little niggles here and there along the way so it’s been frustrating. I want to be out on the pitch and help the team get some wins because we have got a good team. But at the same time, we need to show it out on the pitch.

“Everyone is trying but at the moment we’re just not good enough. As a leader and one of the older ones, I try my hardest. It’s really tough at the minute and it’s sad to see.

“We’re in a bad place and we will get out of that for sure. We’re the players out there and we’ve got to do it. We’ve got to roll our sleeves up and make it happen.”

Ebbsfleet are at home to Dagenham & Redbridge on New Year’s Day in the National League.