EBBSFLEET will entertain a Charlton Athletic XI on Sunday 28 July in the club’s first pre-season friendly game at Stonebridge Road.

The stadium is currently undergoing a refurbishment which means all three of the club’s earlier pre-season matches will take place on the road at Thamesmead Town (July 13 3pm), Maidstone United (July 20 3pm) and Isthmian League new boys Erith & Belvedere on July 23 at 7.45pm.

Meanwhile, Steve Gritt expects Ebbsfleet United to make astute use of the loan market once the new season is off and running.

The ambitious Conference South outfit have already assembled a squad of 11 players before even returning to pre-season training on July 6, a figure which assistant manager Gritt believes will ideally rise to 18 by the time the 2013-14 campaign kicks off on August 17.

And the former joint Charlton boss feels this number will be boosted by additional loan signings from nearby professional clubs during the course of what will be a hectic season ahead.

Gritt said: “I would like to think we will have at least 18 players in the squad.

“We’ve also got the option of bringing in loan players as and when we need them from professional clubs throughout the season.

“I expect we will be looking at a lot of U21 games early in the season to see who is out there, not just at Charlton but at other clubs as well.

“We are ideally placed close to London so there is Millwall, Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs as well to think of.

“We will be keeping a very careful eye on what is out there, both in the professional and non-league game if needs be.”

New boss Steve Brown began his Ebbsfleet reign with almost a signing a day, although things have gone quiet since Dean Rance’s capture from Dover on June 13.

But Gritt feels Fleet fans won’t have to wait too long for news on another addition to the ranks.

“All I can say is I know Steve is talking to one or two at the moment,” the assistant manager said.

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