MALDON and Tiptree winger Darren McQueen could be set for a move to National League South outfit Ebbsfleet United.

The former Ipswich Town youngster is spending the week on trial at the Kent club and has scored three goals in two friendlies for them, against Deal Town and Dartford.

McQueen, who trained with Colchester United’s development squad last season, will spend the rest of this week at Ebbsfleet as he looks to progress with his career.

Maldon boss Kevin Horlock said: “Darren’s done well at Ebbsfleet so far and it was something that we knew could happen.”

Horlock could be set to strengthen his defensive options after Curtis Haynes-Brown was ruled out for several weeks with a sore Achilles.

The centre-back limped out of the Jammers’ pre-season friendly with Colchester and is facing a race against time to be fit for the start of the new Ryman League division north season.

It could leave Maldon short of defensive options, especially after Tariq Moore-Azille left the club and Gavin Greenfield suffered a back injury.

Horlock said: “Curtis is likely to be out for around four weeks.

“It’s a concern, especially as it looks like he might miss the first game of the season (against Brightlingsea Regent).

“But he’s improving all the time and we’re hoping that he might be back a bit sooner than that.

“He had a ruptured Achilles last year and the worry initially was that it was the same thing but fortunately it wasn’t.

“He’s over-compensated from his injury from last time but although it’s sore, the good thing is that it’s not a rupture.”

Horlock said he did not want to stand in the way of Moore-Azille, who is currently looking for a move to a higher-division club.

He said: “Tariq has an ambition to play at a higher level which I like all of my players to have and he’s searching other opportunities.

“But I can’t hold on and wait to see what happens and I have to be pro-active.

“I’ll look at my options there and I’m sure that there are good players out there who’ll want to come to Maldon.”

There is better news on the injury front regarding left-back MJ Kedman, who limped out of the Colchester friendly with an ankle problem.

“MJ went over on his ankle against Colchester but he’s progressed really well," added Horlock.

“He’s up and running again and he’s joined in training.

“I don’t think he’ll be available for the Wivenhoe game this Saturday but I hope that he can be involved after that.”

Maldon host National League side Braintree Town in their latest friendly tonight (Thursday).