Ebbsfleet manager Harry Watling admits the return to action of Luke O’Neill has been “like a new signing”.

The 33-year-old former Gillingham and AFC Wimbledon defender has been sidelined since the Fleet’s goalless draw with Aldershot in September – the game before Watling was appointed.

It means O’Neill’s return for 60 minutes against Eastleigh last Wednesday was the first time he got to play under the new boss. O’Neill then completed 90 minutes in last weekend’s goalless draw at home to Boston.

“It’s a massive bonus for us for Luke to get those minutes, and he’ll feel better for it now,” admitted Watling.

“His quality is evident with what he brings to the team. His final ball, the way he reads the game, his aerial ability.

“To have someone like him in the group is massive for us. I didn’t have him for the first 10 league games so it’s a huge addition for us – it’s like a new signing.”

The Boston game also marked a first league start of the season for Jack Wakely.

The centre-back made an impressive start to life in Fleet colours last season but was injured against Barnet in August.

Wakely was out for a year but has now rejoined Ebbsfleet on a permanent basis and he impressed against Boston after replacing the suspended Tyler Cordner.

“We’ve had to be really careful with Jack because of the type of injury he had and then the way the fixtures fell,” explained Watling.

“We were debating putting him in against Tamworth but then the pitch completely nullified that and then the two centre-halves played extremely well against Tamworth.

“We followed up with the Solihull performance which wasn’t the best. I’ve been waiting for the right time to put him in and he’s come in and kept a clean sheet.

“I’m crossing my fingers and toes that we might have a couple more back in pretty soon.”

Meanwhile, Millwall loan midfielder Sha’mar Lawson has ended his stay at Stonebridge Road early.

“He went back three weeks ago,” said Watling. “That was down to an injury and we felt we would cut the loan now.

“Rather than him going back and forth, he could be treated at his parent club and they can get him ready for a January move, they believe at a league above.”

Salford midfielder Jez Davies, who was sent off on his debut against Solihull, is still serving his suspension.

Charles Ondo has finished his one-month loan at Hemel Hempstead with the Fleet now looking to secure him a new loan elsewhere.

There is still the potential for more new faces, but Watling stated it will be a case of one in, one out, going forward.

“You can’t let people go out unless you’ve got people ready to come in, and you can’t have people ready to come in unless you’ve got people ready to go out,” stated Watling.

“That’s the juggling act that we’ve got but I think we need to look at that quite closely during the next seven to 10 days.”