Alex Osborn is ready to kickstart his Ebbsfleet career after rediscovering his fitness, form and confidence during two loan spells away from Stonebridge Road.

The 22-year-old spent one month with Hayes & Yeading and then two at Maidstone, a deal which expired last weekend.

The winger, who originally joined the Fleet on loan from Dagenham & Redbridge in 2013, made the move permanent a year later but was a peripheral figure last season.

His contract was extended in the summer, though, and now he is determined to play his part in Fleet’s title challenge.

Two goals and two assists on his return to the Ebbsfleet team - ironically against Maidstone in the Kent Senior Cup - capped a fine display which suggested Osborn is ready to feature more regularly for the National League South leaders.

He said: "My priority is Ebbsfleet and I want to do well at Ebbsfleet.

"I couldn’t see myself walking into the team because they’re doing so well but I’d hopefully get on the bench, get a few appearances and affect the game enough to earn a starting place.

"I feel sharp now and I feel that if I was given the chance at Ebbsfleet, I would take it rather than if I was sitting around, not playing games. I would have been stiff and not 100%.

"The Christmas period is busy, so I think Macca will need everyone he’s got."

Osborn's performance in the cup tie didn't go unnoticed by Fleet boss Daryl McMahon.

He said: "Alex always works hard. He's got terrific pace and his work ethic's very good. That's never been in question.

"I think he looks very sharp at the minute and he's been training well."

Osborn made six appearances during his two months with the Stones, helping them climb to third in National South and reach the first round of the FA Cup.

He said: "They treated me like one of their own. There was no ‘he’s a loanee’ sort of thing, they made me welcome.

"Macca was good at asking how was getting on. He always texted me to say good luck and asked me how I did.

"He’s always looking out for me, which is a boost because sometimes when you go on loan, you can feel isolated.

"But it was as if I was just playing for Maidstone on the Saturday – I feel like I’m an Ebbsfleet player.

"I don’t feel like I’m being left out and that’s come from the man-management from Macca."

Read the full story in the Gravesend Messenger.