Ebbsfleet United midfielder Ouss Cisse happy to help out at the back after proving defensive worth in National League clash at Woking

Ebbsfleet midfielder Ouss Cisse is happy to play in defence if that’s what manager Dennis Kutrieb wants.

The Fleet boss opted to use Cisse as part of a three-man defence at Woking on Tuesday night.

The 32-year-old repaid the faith with a solid performance and capped it off by turning in a second-half equaliser in the 1-1 draw.

“I’ve got a defensive mind as a central midfielder and I’m comfortable on the ball,” said Cisse.

“As long as I’m on the pitch then I’ll just listen to what the gaffer wants me to do and then I’ll do it.

“I see the game a little bit differently there. You get a better picture. When you’re in the middle of the park as soon as you receive the ball you have pressure and sometimes you don’t have time to check.

“But when you’re playing at the back you have everything in front of you which can make it easier. I just need to have the habit and if I have to be there all season then I will be there.”

Cisse got on the end of a Craig Tanner corner to nod in his first goal in Ebbsfleet colours. He knows he should contribute more from set-pieces and believes it’s all about timing.

“I saw the ball coming across, the defender was about to clear it so I just put my head in there to put it in,” reflected Cisse.

“I need to find good timing in the box, once I do that then more goals will come.

“I’m delighted with my first goal but the most important thing was the team getting a draw. That’s the first draw this season so we can build from that now.”

Ebbsfleet were outplayed in the first half at Woking but they grew into the match and looked more assured the longer the game went on.

“The first half and second half were different games,” said Cisse. “We started a bit sloppy in terms of the challenging and winning the