Hawkes is yet to make his Gillingham first team debut

Ebbsfleet United have signed Gillingham youth team goalkeeper Daren Hawkes on work experience.

Hawkes, 17, will fill in for Preston Edwards, who serves a one game ban for his early red card against Farnborough.

Fleet manager Liam Daish has revealed they were close to re-signing Gillingham's Lance Cronin, who was a fans' favourite at Stonebridge Road.

"It nearly happened for a game, but circumstances changed and they couldn't do it," Daish told BBC Radio Kent.

"It was close and it would have really excited our fans."

Cronin was Ebbsfleet's keeper for the 2008 FA Trophy final and was a virtual ever-present in his four years at the club between 2006 and 2010, before moving into the Football League with neighbours Gillingham.

Hawkes has been on the bench for the Gills this season, when regular substitute keeper Cronin was injured, but has not made a first team appearance so the game against Basingstoke will be his senior debut.

Daish said: "We had him in training, hopefully he'll have a good debut and will keep a clean sheet for us."

Ebbsfleet v Basingstoke will be a featured game on BBC Radio Kent.

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