Ebbsfleet boss Harry Watling wants his team to pop Maidstone’s FA Cup bubble this season.

The Stones enjoyed a memorable record-breaking FA Cup journey last season, beating Premier-League bound Ipswich on their way to the last 16 before losing to Coventry.

The National League South side will be eyeing another cup adventure this campaign but Watling wants to make cup history of his own.

“The FA Cup is one of the best competitions in the world so I can’t wait for it,” said Watling ahead of the derby.

“It’s a privilege to be managing this football club, and then to manage this club against Maidstone in the FA Cup is a beautiful moment.

“We have to respect the competition and what it can throw up, and what the competition can do to you if you don’t respect it.

“We have to show our professionalism and we have to show the level, if we do those things then we’ll win. But we’re going away from home, it will be a raucous atmosphere and I can’t wait.

“I thought Maidstone were fantastic in the competition last season and we need to put a stop to that straight away this year.”

Ebbsfleet will head to the Gallagher for the fourth qualifying round tie with their injury list showing little sign of improving.

Although Wes Fonguck returned to training at the start of the week and there is a chance midfielder Jim Kellermann could be involved, Lewis Page has been ruled out until the turn of the year and Toby Edser won’t feature until November.

“It’s 10 players that are injured,” said Watling. “I don’t want to keep harping on that it’s an opportunity for someone else to get the shirt.

“It’s not a great position to be in, I’d love to be able to field my best team, especially when you’re playing against teams like Rochdale and York and Forest Green, but we’ve got to do what we can with what we’ve got.”

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The injuries and Fleet’s current form have prompted Watling to strengthen his options in the past week.

Former Wycombe defender Anthony Stewart and ex-QPR full-back Todd Kane have been joined at Stonebridge Road by a fit-again Jack Wakely.

The defender enjoyed an outstanding start to life in an Ebbsfleet shirt at the beginning of last season but was injured in late August at Barnet and has been sidelined for a year.

But he’s back to full fitness now, coming off the bench for the final moments of last weekend’s 2-2 draw at home to Rochdale.

Watling can’t wait to work with a player he knows well, and someone he’s surprised to find at National League level.

“Jack was excellent at the start of last season, wasn’t he?” said Watling. “We’re hoping we can get him back to those levels, and above that if I’m honest with you.

“I couldn’t believe when I took the job that he was on the squad list as I know how good the player is.

“We need to get him fit, we need to get him minutes and then he needs to get a shirt. Once he gets a shirt then he needs to keep it.”

With Luke O’Neill among those on the sidelines, the signing of Kane is well-timed and he impressed on his full debut against Rochdale.

“Todd was really good and reliable,” noted Watling. “He’s someone I’ve known since he was a young boy so, again, someone I know I can bring in and trust him.

“I thought he was super-competent in everything he did and he gave the team massive reliability.”