Ebbsfleet manager Liam Daish is targeting an immediate return to the top flight of non-league football.

The Fleet start life in Blue Square Bet South at home to Maidenhead on Saturday after last season’s relegation.

Daish said: "I don’t like the fact that we are in this division, I won’t try to pretend otherwise and I want to get back into the Conference Premier as quickly as possible.

"But, that said, I think this league looks very competitive and there should be plenty of good games for the fans, especially with all the Kent derbies."

The home clash with Maidenhead is followed by a trip to Farnborough on Wednesday and Daish is hoping his new-look squad can hit the ground running.

"Pre-season has gone OK," he said. "We’ve tried to build a new squad and we are not far away from where we want to be.

"I’ve been happy with the attitude and application that the lads have shown."

Daish confirmed that Paul Lorraine will wear the captain’s armband after the centre-back’s close season move from AFC Wimbledon.

He added: "Paul’s got a good attitude, he knows this league, he’s vocal and he ticks all the boxes that I am looking for."