KentOnline

bannermobile

News

Sport

Business

What's On

Advertise

Contact

Other KM sites

CORONAVIRUS WATCH KMTV LIVE SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTERS LISTEN TO OUR PODCASTS LISTEN TO KMFM
SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE
Sport

Ebbsfleet United defender Sam Magri fit and raring to go again

By: Steve Tervet

Published: 00:00, 13 July 2018

Sam Magri says Ebbsfleet will fear no-one when the National League season kicks off in three weeks' time.

Fleet, play-off semi-finalists last season, face the last four clubs to be relegated from League 2 inside the first two weeks of the new campaign.

Chesterfield visit Stonebridge Road on the opening day and Daryl McMahon's side then travel to Leyton Orient, Hartlepool and Barnet.

Sam Magri returned to action for Ebbsfleet in their 1-1 draw with Billericay on Saturday Picture: Andy Jones

Equally tough will be the August clashes with Sutton and Aldershot - both made the play-offs in 2017-18 - but Magri can't wait.

He said: "There's a lot of good teams and ex-League clubs but we proved everything we need to last year.

mpu1

"We played against a lot of the big teams, did well and took points off them so I don't think we're worried about playing those sort of teams.

"We're looking forward to it and we want to prove everyone wrong again."

Fleet's visit to Orient on August 7 will see Magri return to the ground where he suffered a serious knee injury in March.

His medial collateral ligament came away from the bone and Magri missed the rest of the season but he's now back in full training.

Magri admitted: "It was horrible. Missing the games was hard and when we got into the play-offs it was even more of a kick in the teeth because I couldn't play in them.

"But you have to do everything the specialist and physio are saying to get back as quick as you can.

mpu2

"We've got a great bunch of lads and a really good team so it was no surprise to see the run they went on. When they got in the play-offs, it was what the players wanted to achieve all season.

Sam Magri missed the end of last season with a knee injury Picture: Andy Payton

"I wasn't shocked we got in there but not being able to play was hard - especially in the Tranmere game when it went to extra-time.

"We only had two days rest and you could see people getting tired but I was sat on the sidelines and couldn't do anything about it.

"It's not the best feeling but hopefully now I can put it out of my mind and get going again."

It promises to be a big season for Malta international Magri, whose wife is pregnant with the baby due in October.

He said: "I'm looking forward to that as well. That drives you on to do better at football to provide for your family.

"Playing in the Football League is what I want. I've got another year left at Ebbsfleet and hopefully we can do it and get promoted.

"Ebbsfleet's a really good club and I'm enjoying it there.

"I got better and stronger as last season went on. I think I did well and the gaffer was happy so hopefully I can build on it again this season."

More by this author

sticky

© KM Group - 2024