Margate will re-open talks with Ebbsfleet this week about a possible deal for winger Sean Shields.

Shields has just returned to Fleet after a successful loan spell at Hartsdown Park, where he helped the Blues climb away from relegation trouble in National League South.

His former Fleet team-mate Matt Johnson is now a Margate player after agreeing a permanent move earlier this month, and boss Nikki Bull is hopeful Shields will follow him across Kent.

He said: "We would like it to happen but Sean’s an Ebbsfleet player and I respect that.

"I’ve deliberately not spoken to him for the last seven to 10 days because it wouldn’t have been right with this game coming up (Margate won 2-1 at Ebbsfleet on Saturday).

"I had good dialogue with Ebbsfleet getting the Matty Johnson deal over the line.

"I think Ebbsfleet are aware they have a big squad and if he’s not going to figure for them, we’d love him to figure for us.

"At this moment in time, there’s no movement on it but I did speak to Ebbsfleet in the week and I said once we get this game out of the way, we’ll have a chat and see what can happen."

Shields has made 20 appearances for Ebbsfleet since arriving from Dagenham & Redbridge.

He initially joined on loan before the move was made permanent in January 2015.

Asked where the player's future lay, Fleet boss Daryl McMahon said: "It’s down to Shieldsy.

"He probably would have started the season if he didn’t get injured because he was flying in pre-season, he was excellent.

"It fell, the way that he wasn’t fit, that we started off well, he went on loan to Chelmsford and got ill - so that loan didn’t really work for him or us.

"He came back in, wasn’t really getting into the squad because we were in a good position, he’s gone to Margate and done terrific for them and now he’s back here trying to get in our team.

"It’s as simple as that. That’s where he’s at."