Ebbsfleet caretaker manager Josh Wright insisted he still sees his immediate future as a player.

The popular 34-year-old midfielder was thrown into the deep end as he took charge of the Fleet a little over 24 hours after boss Danny Searle was sacked following a disastrous start to the season.

Under Wright’s guidance, the Fleet produced their best display so far despite being held to a goalless draw by Aldershot at Stonebridge Road.

“I’m still a player,” insisted Wright. “Yes, I’m in my mid-30s and do I see myself going down this route? One day, I think so.

“I’ve got a passion for the game, I love the game, I love being involved and I love winning.

“Right now, I’m contracted as a player, I’m captain and I love playing. I feel that I’ve got a massive role to play in this team. That type of performance we saw against Aldershot, I want to be involved and at the centre of it.

“Will I do another game? I don’t know, I don’t know the situation. Damian Irvine (chief executive) and the owners will be doing all they can to get the right (management) team in and will take their time with that. But, right now, I’m still a player and that’s where I see myself.”

Wright also ruled out the possibility of taking the job as a player/manager.

It’s simply come too early for a player who still has plenty to give on the pitch at a club he has plenty of affection for.

“I’m either one or the other,” stated Wright. “I’m a player or a manager and right now I’m a player. That’s how I started the season and that’s how I see myself.

“I would never do both. On Tuesday it was never going to be a case of taking the game and playing, whether that was starting or coming off the bench. I took myself completely out and did it as a manager from the side.”

Despite his insistence that playing remains his priority, Wright is happy to stay in charge of the team in a caretaker capacity.

He added: “We’ll take it day-by-day and I’ll do whatever the club wants me to do because that’s how much time I’ve got for the football club. We’ll roll with it and see where it leaves us.”

Wright disclosed that he’s had sleepless nights this season over Ebbsfleet’s poor form. But he got a better night’s sleep before his first 0 and possibly only - game in charge

“I’m not sleeping well at the moment simply because of the results,” said Wright. “But on Monday night when I had such a hectic day and my phone never stopped, it was a whirlwind 24 hours, I think I did so much that I slept quite well.

“I woke up bright and early, got my fitness session in down the gym pretty early, managed to grab a coffee and yoghurt. I got a dog walk in which took my mind off things.

“My sole plan was to get the boys ready for the game but lots of that had already been done. I was in early in the afternoon and worked in the office and got set up, we got everything prepared for the boys.

Report: Ebbsfleet 0-0 Aldershot

“I’m proud and happy with how the night went. Of course, the icing on the cake would have been at least one goal to take the three points but a clean sheet was massive. The biggest thing was the performance, though, and the reaction, the accountability the boys took. They can be proud of themselves and I can only thank them.”

Ebbsfleet are at home to Hartlepool in the National League on Saturday.