Ebbsfleet United boss Josh Wright says pre-season fitness drive can stand side in good stead for challenges ahead in National League South

Ebbsfleet manager Josh Wright has underlined the importance of the work his squad are doing during pre-season.

The Fleet have assembled a 24-man squad ahead of their return to National League South football at Dagenham on August 9.

Wright’s enjoyed putting his stamp on the squad, both in terms of the personnel and the work they’ve been doing to boost their fitness.

“The season pans out with a lot of what you’ve done in pre-season,” insisted Wright.

“It’s the big reason why we have a pre-season. Of course, it’s so you can build up fitness, so you don’t get injured and things like that.

“But you have to be fit, athletic, quick, powerful and that’s what I’ve been working on in pre-season and it is a big part.

“It’s not to go up against anything that we’ve done before as a group at this football club or individuals, but without being stupid, we’ve worked very hard.

“We’ve got the running into them, but we’ve also got the football into them, but we’ve got all the different dimensions and dynamics that you need to be fit and strong and to be a top footballer.

“I feel that it’s a big, big reason if we’re going to be successful, because we’re going to be fit and we’re going to be strong. There’ll be times where we’ll have to wear teams down, there’ll be times we’ll have to win games in the last five-ten minutes and that’s when it comes into your fitness and your mind because it all links together.”

The fitness of the Ebbsfleet squad was repeatedly called into question, particularly in the first half of last season. Former boss Harry Watling was among those who voiced a concern.

But Wright is keen that his players will be well-prepared for the nine months of battle ahead of them.

“I’m not sure any of them, or certainly many of