Ebbsfleet United midfielder Josh Wright wants to return to playing role despite promising first game as caretaker manager

Ebbsfleet caretaker manager Josh Wright insisted he still sees his immediate future as a player.

The popular 34-year-old midfielder was thrown into the deep end as he took charge of the Fleet a little over 24 hours after boss Danny Searle was sacked following a disastrous start to the season.

Under Wright’s guidance, the Fleet produced their best display so far despite being held to a goalless draw by Aldershot at Stonebridge Road.

“I’m still a player,” insisted Wright. “Yes, I’m in my mid-30s and do I see myself going down this route? One day, I think so.

“I’ve got a passion for the game, I love the game, I love being involved and I love winning.

“Right now, I’m contracted as a player, I’m captain and I love playing. I feel that I’ve got a massive role to play in this team. That type of performance we saw against Aldershot, I want to be involved and at the centre of it.

“Will I do another game? I don’t know, I don’t know the situation. Damian Irvine (chief executive) and the owners will be doing all they can to get the right (management) team in and will take their time with that. But, right now, I’m still a player and that’s where I see myself.”

Wright also ruled out the possibility of taking the job as a player/manager.

It’s simply come too early for a player who still has plenty to give on the pitch at a club he has plenty of affection for.

“I’m either one or the other,” stated Wright. “I’m a player or a manager and right now I’m a player. That’s how I started the season and that’s how I see myself.

“I would never do both. On Tuesday it was never going to be a case of taking the game and playing, whether that was starting or coming off the bench. I took myself completely out and did it as a manager from the side.”

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