Ebbsfleet United manager Josh Wright praises on-loan Blackpool defender Alex Lankshear after match-winning display against AFC Fylde in the National League

Manager Josh Wright heaped praise on Ebbsfleet’s weekend matchwinner Alex Lankshear.

The on-loan versatile Blackpool defender scored his first Fleet goal when he hooked home what proved to be the only goal of the game against AFC Fylde on Saturday.

Lankshear’s afternoon looked set for an early finish when he dislocated his shoulder in the first half but the 22-year-old bravely carried on.

“It just shows the character that he has,” said Wright.

“I'm not saying it's film moments and like one of them where you sort write the script but the kid is an unbelievable character.

“He's so driven and he's such a good professional and I think you see that in the way that he plays.

“You see that in the way he digs in but the quality he's got with it and the hard work he shows.

“I was thinking he's coming off and my second defender's just got injured on top of eight or nine defenders that are already injured.

“I'm thinking who on earth can I do and what can I put on here and he gets himself up, comes over and says it's been strapped up.

“He said ‘It's been put back into place, can I strap it up?’ and I'm like, ‘Are you sure?’.

“In the end he does it and then goes and gets the winner and that's a testament to himself.

“He deserved that for showing bravery, heart, character and desire and that's exactly what we want at this football club.”

Defender Tom Dallison faces a spell on the sidelines after picking up a hamstring injury late on at Solihull Moors while Anthony Stewart could return from injury sooner.

Ebbsfleet return to action tonight (Tuesday) when they host Tonbridge in the Kent Senior Cup.

Relegation-threatened Welling United await the winners in the final at Gillingham’s Priestfield stadium on April 2, and Wright is going to