Tonbridge Angels manager Alan Dunne has former Millwall room-mate Josh Wright for company on the touchline in Boxing Day Kent derby at Ebbsfleet United

Alan Dunne goes head-to-head with one of his good friends in football when Tonbridge visit Kent rivals Ebbsfleet on Boxing Day.

Angels manager Dunne and Fleet boss Wright were team-mates at Millwall and have remained close over the years.

It’s a nice subplot in an attractive local derby at Stonebridge Road (1pm) as Tonbridge look to continue their fine away form against a Fleet side who are among the favourites to win promotion back to the National League.

“I was with Josh last Tuesday at Dagenham,” said Dunne.

“I sat next to him and watched the game (the Daggers’ 0-0 draw with Slough).

“He’s someone I played with and have known for a long time, and we speak quite regularly.

“He’s a great lad and I’m pleased he’s in management.

“I’m looking forward to going head-to-head with him.

“I played with him, I roomed with him, and it’s interesting being friends and playing each other on Boxing Day.

“It’ll be a good one for us to compete with each other.”

Ebbsfleet, 1-0 winners at Chelmsford on Saturday, go into the game as favourites but Tonbridge boast the fourth best away record in National League South.

They’ve won five times on the road and are used to upsetting the odds, having won at Maidstone and Torquay.

“We’re Jake Paul and they’re Anthony Joshua,” joked Dunne, referring to last weekend’s heavyweight mismatch.

“I’ve watched them a few times and they’re a very good team.

“They had a great result at the weekend, they’ll be full of confidence after beating Chelmsford, which is no easy game, but we can’t be underestimated.

“Our away form is fourth in the league, so we have to be respected for that, and we can compete with anyone in this league.”

Tonbridge built on their 2-1 win at Torquay in a 2-2 draw at home to Dagenham