by Andrew Gidley

Ebbsfleet manager Liam Daish said his side have been dealt a tough hand by the fixture schedule as he prepares for a weekend double-header against two more fancied clubs.

Having taken a point off Wrexham, the Stonebridge Road boss is gearing up for the next challenge at Blue Square Bet Premier new boys Hereford on Saturday before the visit of Luton on Bank Holiday Monday.

Daish, pictured, said: "We couldn’t have had a tougher eight days.

"Hereford have started fairly well and have a pretty experienced manager in Martin Foyle, while Luton have got big players having signed Jon Shaw from Gateshead and the likes of Scott Rendell and Stuart Fleetwood as well.

"They went close last year and you have got to take your hat off to them because they are making every effort to get out of the league again.

"I am sure they will be there or thereabouts."

Meanwhile, Ram Marwa and Giannoulis Fakinos are nearing a return but both are short of match fitness.

Marwa has recovered from a broken kneecap, while Fakinos has endured a long lay-off following knee surgery.