Ebbsfleet midfielder Tom Phipp has joined Maidstone on a month’s loan.

The former Arsenal youth product is set to make his debut against Leiston at the Gallagher Stadium on Saturday as Michael Phillips and Alex Brown serve one-match suspensions.

Phipp played 43 times under Liam Daish last season as Fleet were relegated from the Conference Premier. He signed a new deal in the summer but has been unable to force his way into new boss Steve Brown’s team.

Ebbsfleet have also agreed to let Phipp play in the FA Trophy against Eastleigh next weekend.

Stones manager Jay Saunders said: “I saw him two or three times in a struggling side last year and he did well.

“I spoke to Liam and Paul McCarthy (ex-Fleet assistant) and they both had great things to say about him.

“He was a regular in the Conference last season. Steve Brown kept him on but sometimes it’s hard when a new manager comes in and things change.

“It might take him a game or two to get up to speed but he’ll do well for us.

“League clubs were looking at him not long ago and Whitehawk and another Conference South club were also sniffing around to take him on loan but he chose to come here."

Read the full story in Friday's Kent Messenger.