Ebbsfleet boss Josh Wright is delighted with the squad he’s assembled over the close season.

The Fleet have made some classy additions within a 24-man squad as they return to National League South.

Wright, who took charge last December, has seen months of planning come to fruition and can’t wait to see his side in action.

Max Ehmer is a standout name having captained League 2 Gillingham last season, but Wright knows there’s plenty of quality elsewhere in his ranks.

“Max will be a top player for us, he’s a top player at this level,” said Wright.

“We’re very fortunate to get Max, but I could go right the way through. I don’t want to stand here and say names, it’s not fair on some names that I might not get to.

“But one thing I will say is we’ve also got a few that might go under the radar, hidden gems if you like, that we’ve signed.

“We’ve gone deep with our due diligence and our work ethic into getting the right ones, meeting the right characters and bringing the right ones into this group.

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“It’s early days, but so far, they’re looking really good, really fit, really strong, really athletic, but a good blend of experience and youth.

“Some on paper look really good, but there’s also some in there that people might not quite realise or know at the moment that will really catch the eye.”

It’s been a first summer of recruitment for Wright. With Ebbsfleet’s fate last term sealed well before the season ended, the manager has had plenty of time to map out what he wanted to do.

“What I said from the start is I was working towards next season as in the season we’re now starting,” said Wright.

“Of course, a lot of the majority of the drive was last season and training and games, but I’ve been working on this.

“I was talking to players, meeting players, watching players live at games or on the screen throughout the whole of last season from at least the turn of the year. I was well prepared.

“Did I get all of them? No, I didn’t. But no one ever really does. You’re always going to miss out on someone because of levels, because of money or whatever it might be.

“I was well ahead with my recruitment. Of course, I had back-ups. I had lists and I had different methods.

“I had different options, but I prepared myself well. We all worked tirelessly last season, but also in this off-season, to do it. It seems to have gelled and come together nicely.”

It was Wright’s first experience in putting a new squad together, having to deal with agents pushing their players in his direction but also meeting players and understanding their character.

Years of playing cannot prepare you but Wright, as always, has embraced the challenge.

“I think I need a new phone because my phone’s not stopped all day, every day,” joked Wright. “The battery’s worn down, the screen’s worn down and my ears have been hurting! But there’s loads about it that I’ve loved.

“I’m big on meeting players in person. I’ve tried to meet every single player in person, over the table, look at them in the eye, get a feel out of them because I feel you can. You can never judge a book by its cover, but you get a feel.

“You like to hear what they want to say. You want to hear what they want to come back with and if they want to buy into what you’re about.

“There were times where it got stressful. There were times when you’re trying to get the deals done and you’re dealing with agents and your phone’s non-stop and it’s constant and you feel like you’re there and then suddenly it stops and changes.

“But I’ve loved having the squad back for the last 10 days, getting on the training ground and working with them.”

Ebbsfleet, who fielded a team of trialists and youth players in a 4-3 defeat at Punjab on Tuesday night, will show off their summer signings at Aveley (1pm) this Saturday. They then host a West Ham XI at Stonebridge Road this Tuesday (7pm).