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Ebbsfleet United boss Daryl McMahon set to sign a new goalkeeper as back-up to Brandon Hall or Preston Edwards

Ebbsfleet United manager Daryl McMahon Picture: Andy Payton
Ebbsfleet United manager Daryl McMahon Picture: Andy Payton

A new goalkeeper will be the next summer signing at Ebbsfleet United.

Manager Daryl McMahon has already brought three new players to the club this summer - midfielders John Paul Kissock, Jordan Parkes and Robbie Willmott - and the new keeper will likely complete his close-season business.

One of Brandon Hall or Preston Edwards will be the Fleet's first-choice in 2015/16, with the other leaving on a long-term loan deal and the new man acting as back-up.

McMahon said: "In terms of incomings, there will be one more, a goalkeeper, and that’ll be it. I’m not looking to do anything else.

"I’ve got my No.1 already. In my opinion, we’ve got two No.1s at the club in Brandon and Preston and I’ve always felt that. But I felt that neither one of them has been trusted as the No.1.

"It’s been ‘you play for three, you play for three, you play for four, you play for five’ – it’s been a bit mix-and-match.

"There will be a No.1 and the keeper coming in will be No.2 looking to nick his place."

Edwards started the first eight games of last season but lost his place after being sent-off at Hayes & Yeading on September 13.

Hall kept his place until January and earned a call-up to the England C squad but incoming manager Jamie Day recalled Edwards for a run of 10 matches while Hall joined Lewes on loan.

However, the 22-year-old was reinstated for the run-in as Fleet drifted out of promotion contention.

McMahon said: "For me, that definitely affects a goalkeeper’s confidence. If you go into it not knowing you’re the nailed-on No.1 and you know that one mistake…

"If I signed Petr Cech in goal for next season, he’ll make a mistake, he will, nailed-on and it’ll cost you a goal because that’s where they are. It’s a dangerous area of the pitch to make mistakes in.

"Both have been England C goalkeepers, Brandon last season.

"Defensively, since I’ve been there, we’ve been decent and I don’t see that as being a major position for us to fill.

"I’ve got two fantastic goalies but one of them is going to go."

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