Ebbsfleet United manager Harry Watling delighted to have fit-again former Gillingham and AFC Wimbledon defender Luke O’Neill available

Ebbsfleet manager Harry Watling admits the return to action of Luke O’Neill has been “like a new signing”.

The 33-year-old former Gillingham and AFC Wimbledon defender has been sidelined since the Fleet’s goalless draw with Aldershot in September – the game before Watling was appointed.

It means O’Neill’s return for 60 minutes against Eastleigh last Wednesday was the first time he got to play under the new boss. O’Neill then completed 90 minutes in last weekend’s goalless draw at home to Boston.

“It’s a massive bonus for us for Luke to get those minutes, and he’ll feel better for it now,” admitted Watling.

“His quality is evident with what he brings to the team. His final ball, the way he reads the game, his aerial ability.

“To have someone like him in the group is massive for us. I didn’t have him for the first 10 league games so it’s a huge addition for us – it’s like a new signing.”

The Boston game also marked a first league start of the season for Jack Wakely.

The centre-back made an impressive start to life in Fleet colours last season but was injured against Barnet in August.

Wakely was out for a year but has now rejoined Ebbsfleet on a permanent basis and he impressed against Boston after replacing the suspended Tyler Cordner.

“We’ve had to be really careful with Jack because of the type of injury he had and then the way the fixtures fell,” explained Watling.

“We were debating putting him in against Tamworth but then the pitch completely nullified that and then the two centre-halves played extremely well against Tamworth.

“We followed up with the Solihull performance which wasn’t the best. I’ve been waiting for the right time to put him in and he’s come in and kept a clean sheet.

“I’m crossing my fingers and toes