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Ebbsfleet United boss Daryl McMahon holding contract talks with his players

Contract talks have started at Ebbsfleet as manager Daryl McMahon shapes his squad for next season.

Every member of Fleet's promotion-winning side will sit down with McMahon to discuss their future this week or next.

Goalkeeper Nathan Ashmore, midfielders Andy Drury and Jack Powell and striker Darren McQueen are the only Ebbsfleet players already under contract for 2017-18.

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

McMahon said: "Top of my agenda is signing some players because we’ve only got four.

"We need some more players and player meetings are going ahead this week and next week in terms of the group we’ve got. We’ll meet some other players - targets.

"It’s a long process but you’ve got to do it. Every player has an individual meeting, they do that anyway whether they’re on contract or not. We have a chat about where we’re going.

"Hopefully we can (keep the squad together). You never know what comes up in this period.

"The players have been successful and the club’s been successful so eyes are on everyone. We’re just putting it all together again now and it’s a busy time for us."

McMahon's phone has rung constantly since the play-off final win over Chelmsford with agents trying to get their players a move to Stonebridge Road.

He said: "You get that anyway and the fact we’ve gone up, even more so.

Andy Drury is already contracted for next season Picture: Andy Payton
Andy Drury is already contracted for next season Picture: Andy Payton

"Geographically, we’re a good place to be because we can get into the Essex, Kent and London market. It’s a place full of players so it’s a lot of phone calls from a lot of people who are interested in coming to the club from those areas.

"I’ve got targets that I want to sign, that we’re speaking to, so it’s work as usual, like it normally is at this time of year.

"It’s always different when you go up a level, the type of player you attract. Players want to come and play at nice stadiums. Most players, that’s their first instinct, where have I got to play, what have I got to do?

"Being in the National League means you play against good sides, you’re on TV and it’s good exposure for young players. It’s obviously a better league so there’s a lot of players of decent calibre who want to come.

"It’s just about getting the right ones, who blend into what we’ve got.

"You have to understand how we work. You have to buy into that and fit into the changing-room and have the right mentality. We’ve got a very tough group in terms of their mentality and you’ve got to fit into that to be successful.

"I had a terrific squad this season and first and foremost, I want to retain the ones we can retain, that want to be here for the long haul and that’s at the forefront of my mind to make sure we have that done - and the staff.

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