Ebbsfleet boss Daryl McMahon has played down the race for the title – insisting his team are not in the reckoning yet.

Fleet sit just five points behind leaders Maidenhead and Dartford are a further point back in third.

But when asked if McMahon now sees it as a three-way title race, he said: “I don’t see us as rivals for top spot.

“Maidenhead are there, they’re five points clear of us with a game in hand. They are outstanding favourites and we’ll see what happens. Everyone sees them as favourites.

“I’m not bothered what Dartford or anyone else are doing. We can only affect our results.”

Fleet and Dartford sit joint-top of the form guide in National League South but Maidenhead are showing no signs of slipping up.

Fleet host Concord on Saturday, a team who possess a greater danger than their lowly league position suggests.

They beat St Albans last week and McMahon warned: “It will be a difficult game but one we’re looking forward to. We’ve got nothing to be complacent about.

“They’ve got some good players. Jordan Chiedozie is back at the club, Lyle Della-Verde is a left-winger from Welling who is decent on his day, then James White and Steve King have been there a long time.”

Fleet centre-back Mark Phillips trained for the first time on Tuesday after an Achilles injury but Dave Winfield (Achilles) is doubtful.

Read the full story in Thursday's Gravesend Messenger.