SPT WK05-12 Clip Gozie_Ugwu WEB

Meanwhile, loan signing Gozie Ugwu could feature in FA Trophy trip to York tomorrow.

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Ebbsfleet United defender Ross Smith has urged the club’s supporters to be patient with him as he builds himself back up to full match fitness.

The 31-year-old central defender rejoined the club for the third time last Friday and was an unused substitute in Saturday’s 3-0 league defeat against Mansfield Town, before skippering Fleet in their Kent Senior Cup defeat to minnows Hythe Town on Tuesday.

Smith is delighted to be back at Stonebridge Road, but knows it may take a while for him to get up to speed and challenge current first-choice central defensive pairing Yado Mambo and Paul Lorraine for a starting berth.

“I was so pleased to come back, it obviously wasn’t the occasion or the result [against Hythe] that I wanted to come back into but it’s fantastic to put on the Fleet shirt again,” Smith told The Reporter, following the 4-1 loss after extra-time on Tuesday evening.

“Looking at me tonight there was some rustiness which I have got to get rid of, but it was my first game in a while.

Switched on

“When I rejoined the Fleet before it took me a few games to get going and hopefully I can now get the body and the mind switched on and get back up to pace as quickly as possible.

“Of course I would love to start, but the team has been doing fantastically well and I think Yado and Paul have been doing a great job.

“I just want to get involved and help out as much as I can.”

Before the season commenced the Canadian almost called time on his career, but, after his return to England from the United States six weeks ago, decided to give it one final go.

“I did think during the off-season whether to hang them up or not but every day this year I have been thinking about playing again,” added the defender, who has previously played in Major League Soccer for Colorado Rapids.

“That is what brought me back this way. I came over to training a few times and I feel it is definitely still in me and now that my head is switched on I have just got to get myself back to full fitness.”

Ebbsfleet United can include new loan signing Gozie Ugwu in their side for Saturday’s FA Trophy clash at York City.

The 18-year-old centre-forward has been signed on loan from Championship side Reading until March 3.

The move by Fleet boss Liam Daish to bring in the Oxford-born striker looks likely to allow Michael West to undergo a hernia operation, which will rule him out of action for three-to-four weeks.

Ugwu has come through the Royals’ Academy and signed a professional contract in June 2011, though has yet to make a first-team appearance this season.

The Stonebridge Road side recently made the trip to York in the Blue Square Bet Premier on January 21, a game Ebbsfleet lost 3-2, despite the Minstermen being down to 10 men after Scott Brown was sent off in the first half for a challenge on Ram Marwa.

Gary Mills’ side will be without Andre Boucaud after the midfielder switched to league rivals Luton Town for £25,000 on Tuesday, but can also include Sheffield United loanee Eric Tonne.

Prize money of £7,000 is on offer for the winners in addition to a place in the last eight of the competition and, should a replay be required, it will take place three days later at Stonebridge Road.