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Bagasan Graham determined to win back his place in the Ebbsfleet United first team

Bagasan Graham has forced his way back into the reckoning at Ebbsfleet despite being placed on the transfer list.

The left-sided player joined Fleet from Chelmsford last summer but only started five games before being loaned back to the Clarets.

Graham and striker Danny Mills were told they could leave the club this summer but so far no deals have been agreed.

Bagasan Graham has a point to prove this season
Bagasan Graham has a point to prove this season

And after impressing in training, Graham is now starting to show the form which convinced Daryl McMahon to sign him in the first place.

His lively performance against Eastbourne in midweek will certainly have given his manager food for thought.

Graham said: "I'm trying to show the gaffer I deserve a place in the starting XI.

"I never got my chance last season but I'm back now to prove that I am good enough.

"All I can do is take each game and each training session as it comes and develop as a player to show the gaffer I can do it.

"It's not always straightforward in football. You've got to accept the gaffer's decision and I had to take it on the chin (last season) and go out and get games. I've come back and I'm looking good.

"The gaffer's easy-going. You can pull him at any time and he won't be scared to talk to you. It's a good relationship."

Graham started against Eastbourne on Tuesday night and was given just over an hour to impress.

McMahon said: "He played because he's trained well. I'm very open to people training well and playing well.

"It wasn't my intention to take him to Portugal but because he trained well, we took him.

"He's worked very hard. I signed him last year because I thought he was a good player.

"I don't think he improved as quickly as I wanted him to last year but hopefully he can this year. Let's see what happens with him.

"I never close the door on anybody. If he performs to that level consistently, he is a good player."

Darren McQueen and Sean Shields scored on Tuesday as Fleet beat Eastbourne 2-1.

On another night they could have won by more but many of their good moves lacked a final touch.

McMahon said: "We played some really good stuff. We look fit and sharp and for this stage in pre-season, we're in a good position.

"We had two or three balls across the face of the goal that are tap-ins. You could argue that if Darren was still on, that's where he would have been.

"But I'm pleased that we're creating chances and now we've got to work on taking them."

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