Michael West could miss the start of the season with another knee injury.

The Ebbsfleet midfielder hasn't featured in any of their four pre-season friendlies so far and is unlikely to see any action before the Vanarama National League South season starts on August 8.

Having been out for more than a year with cruciate ligament damage, West made his Fleet comeback on Good Friday and scored against Whitehawk before signing a one-year extension to his contract.

But it may be a little while before Fleet fans get to see him back on the pitch.

Ebbsfleet boss Daryl McMahon said: "Westy will be a few weeks. He’s had a little tweak in his knee.

"It happens. When you’ve been out for a year with an injury, your body’s got to get used to going again. He trained two days pretty hard and felt something.

"I think as well, when you’ve had an injury, you’re cautious with it. We’ve got to be cautious with him mentally as well. We want him to come back in a good state because he is a terrific player and we want him fit and on the pitch for us. We’ll take our time with him."

West was one of five Fleet players not involved at Tonbridge on Tuesday night. Defender Lloyd Harrington and striker Charlie Sheringham are recovering from long-term injuries but full-back Aiden Palmer and midfielder Theo Lewis were absent too.

McMahon said: "Theo Lewis is the same (as West) – in Portugal he opened his knee up.

"Aiden’s had a recurrence of his knee injury from last season, so he’ll be out for a little while as well, maybe three weeks.

"The three of them won’t be available Saturday or the rest of pre-season."