FORMER Ebbsfleet United midfielder Craig Stone has become Liam Daish’s latest signing ahead of the new season.

The 21-year-old left the club in 2009 after suffering a broken leg, but after a long lay-off he returned to action in February with Maidstone United and is now back to full fitness.

And Stone did enough during pre-season to earn himself a short-term deal which sees him return to Stonebridge Road for a second spell.

Daish, though, is looking to make his stay more permanent if the former Gillingham youngster continues to impress.

“We’ve offered him a deal to prove something on a short-term basis with a long-term one in mind within the next month or so,” the Fleet boss said.

But with the squad still looking thin, Daish is still looking to strengthen in key areas.

He added: “Hopefully by tonight, tomorrow and Thursday there might be a couple more.

“I’m looking to bring in a striker and a defender.”

Despite last year’s relegation, Daish is looking for a quick return to the Blue Square Premier after a solid pre-season, starting this Saturday with the opening game against Maidenhead United.

He said: “Pre-season was a little bit behind but we got there in the end.

“If someone would have given me our pre-season, the way preparation has gone at the beginning of the season, I would have taken it.

“We’ve assembled a half decent squad and there’s still more to add, so we’re not far off.”

He added: “We’re coming into a new league and it is a bit of an unknown, so we don’t know a great deal about Maidenhead but we’ve had them watched.

“They’ll be like us, itching to get their first three points and do well, so it will be a tough test.

“I’m looking to make a real charge for the play-offs.

“If we’re around that area at Christmas time then we’ll have a real chance.

“We’ve got to think about going straight back up at the first attempt, so that is what we’re looking to do.

“Whether that is realistic or not, we’ve got to go into the league with that mentality.”