Ebbsfleet United have named Steve Lovell as their first-ever director of football.

Former Gillingham boss Lovell has been out of work since leaving the League 1 club in April 2019.

Lovell watched from the stands as Ebbsfleet drew 1-1 at home to Dagenham at Stonebridge Road.

Ebbsfleet confirmed that the appointment does not affect the role of first-team manager Kevin Watson who will "continue to be in charge of all first-team affairs and remain wholly responsible for team selection".

Watson was appointed Fleet boss when Garry Hill was sacked in October 2019 but the Fleet remain in the National League relegation zone.

But the Fleet statement said that Lovell will now take charge of player recruitment - an important role with a number of loan deals up for renewal now, and Fleet badly in need of extra quality in their bid to stay up.

The Fleet enter the new year 23rd in the National League, six points adrift of safety with just 24 points from 27 games.

Ebbsfleet's statement said: "The director of football role at the Fleet will include responsibility for player recruitment, with Steve helping manager Kevin Watson identify key targets as the Fleet aim to stay in the National League in the short-term and continue the growth of the club in the longer term."

Fleet chief executive Dave Archer said: “Steve Lovell has many years of experience in both the EFL and non-league, and his role in overseeing our player recruitment strategy is intended to complement Kevin’s excellent efforts on the pitch since his appointment.

“Steve has a wide knowledge of the game and the ins and outs behind-the-scenes; his expertise will give Kevin and the club the best chance of staying in the division, progressing beyond the end of this season, and to take Ebbsfleet United to the position we want to be in the years ahead.

“All of us at the Fleet welcome Steve to the staff and wish him the very best of luck in this new role.”

• Weston injury a 'hammer blow'
• Marvel stays at Ebbsfleet

Read more: All the latest sports news in Kent