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Ebbsfleet United striker Matt Godden could return from a hamstring injury to face Truro City this weekend

Daryl McMahon hopes to welcome back 19-goal striker Matt Godden on Saturday when Ebbsfleet take on Truro.

Godden missed last weekend’s trip to Concord with a tight hamstring but the injury isn’t serious.

Fleet boss Daryl McMahon said: "It’s not a pull, there’s only tightness, so it was a precaution to miss Saturday. It wasn’t worth the risk on a boggy pitch.

Matt Godden (centre) scored 30 goals for Ebbsfleet last season Picture: Andy Payton
Matt Godden (centre) scored 30 goals for Ebbsfleet last season Picture: Andy Payton

"If we’ve got to lose Godders for one or two games to protect him, I’d rather do that than lose him for six or seven.

"He’s been a huge player this year. Him and Kedwell have formed a terrific partnership, the best in the league. I haven’t seen one as good as those two yet this season.

"We hope he’ll be all right. He rested on Monday and will hopefully train on Thursday but I won’t know until he gets out and sees how it reacts."

Truro make the long trip two points outside the play-offs while Fleet are eight points clear at the top.

McMahon expects their approach to be similar to most teams visiting Stonebridge Road this season.

He said: "It won’t be any different.

"Against Concord (on Boxing Day), we were brave in what we did in terms of formation.

"We were open, very attacking with Haynes, Cook, Parkes, Godden and Kedwell all on the pitch. That’s a lot of good players to try to fit into a formation and it was a little bit too open for me, which I don’t like.

Daryl McMahon admitted Ebbsfleet were too open in their Boxing Day win over Concord Picture: Andy Payton
Daryl McMahon admitted Ebbsfleet were too open in their Boxing Day win over Concord Picture: Andy Payton

"I like to be more controlled and we’ve based our game on control this season.

"It was exciting – but it was a heart attack sometimes as well. You go 3-0 up and you’re cruising, you think it could be any score and then it ends up being 3-2 and it’s a little bit backs-to-the-wall and then Godders gets a late goal to seal the game for us.

"I think Truro will come and set up that way, to counter us. I saw them play against Hayes & Yeading earlier in the season on a Sunday.

"They’re a very big side, nearly every player is over 6ft.

"The assistant manager, I used to live with him, Wayne Carlisle, we’re good friends. It will be a tough game because they’re a well-drilled, well-organised team."

There will be a minute's silence before the game for groundsman Peter Norton who died last week.

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