New signing Callum Harriott is up for the challenge of keeping Ebbsfleet in the National League.

The 30-year-old former Charlton and Colchester winger joined the Fleet after leaving York last month.

He made an immediate impact with a goal and an assist during their FA Trophy exit on penalties at Sutton last weekend.

But it’s National League safety that is bottom side Ebbsfleet’s priority and the class of Harriott can only be a positive.

“I’m excited to be here, it’s a challenge that we’re going to get through,” insisted Harriott, speaking before manager Harry Watling departed the club this week.

“We’ve got to stick together and keep pushing.

“The dressing room doesn’t feel like a team at the bottom of the league but if I did feel it, I’d be giving everything to raise everyone’s spirits.

“We’re going to fight every game and that’s how I’m built, really. I don’t want to lose, I want to win every game and if I do lose one then the next game I want to win even more.

“Everyone has to stay on the same page and keep going. We’ve got a big challenge ahead, we all know that, but we’re going to work our backsides off to get out of it.

“I’m excited to be part of it and as soon as we get off the bottom of the table and start climbing, the boys [would] have built good momentum and we can push on.

“Last season with York we were in the same situation, it will come and we’ve just got to make it happen.

“I’m trying to finish off this season strong and hopefully we can survive and look forward to next season.”

Harriott showed plenty of class after coming on at half-time against Sutton. His first touch to collect Franklin Domi’s ball over the top before driving forward and finishing clinically was sublime.

“I was really excited to play and show everybody how I can do,” he reflected. “I got an assist and the goal as well which was good.

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“I’ve only just come in but I’m looking to add some goals. The boys around the front three when I’ve been in training for the last few days have been good.

“We’ve got a great bunch of boys there and the quicker we can all gel and show people what we can do, the better. It’s coming and the belief has to stay there.

“It was a great ball, as soon as Franklin received it I knew that I was in so I made the run. I managed to bring it down and finish it which was delightful but I’m disappointed in the end.

“To lose on penalties is rubbish and I missed my one, hitting the bar, so I was disappointed with that. Our keeper pulled off some worldie saves at the end as well so we could have even lost it [in 90 minutes]. It was just disappointing to be winning 3-1 and then end up losing on penalties.”

While injury restricted Harriott’s contributions for York, he was starting to show signs of his best form and only returned south to support his partner who was diagnosed with breast cancer.

On his season so far, Harriott added: “It’s been good, to be fair. I got back to full fitness, playing and training with the boys.

“We were top of the league and flying so I’ve got nothing but love for York and their supporters. The team were brilliant but I had to move for family reasons.”

Family rightly comes first although Harriott, who put out a moving statement when he left York, admitted that being able to play football and be at home is the best of both worlds.

“Football definitely is a release,” he said. “When I’m on the pitch all my stresses are away as it’s something I love doing.

“I’m happy to be with my family and give them my support but I also love football so when I’m not playing, I miss it dearly.

“What’s really good is Ebbsfleet is not too far away from home for me as well so I’m around my family now.”