Pablo Asensio has told Whitehawk’s foreign legion what it would mean to win at Ebbsfleet.

But he insists his fierce rivalry with the Kent club is strictly on a sporting basis.

Hawks return to Stonebridge Road tonight for the first time since they won 2-1 in last season’s promotion play-offs but lost the resulting penalty shoot-out.

Much has changed since then, including the transfer of Ebbsfleet favourite Mike West to Hawks.

But Asensio has told those who have arrived at his club since May that tonight’s opponents are the team to beat.

They have picked up seven points from their first three games, which is four more than Whitehawk have managed.

The Argus:

Danny Mills scores against Maidenhead - but Hawks lost 2-1

The Hawks boss said: “The first thing I did was print the whole fixture list for the division and mark every Ebbsfleet game and every Whitehawk game.

“This is the mini-league I wanted to create. We have given some advantage to them, we have given some points away.

“Every other club is going to have my full respect, whether it is at home or away but my target is to keep within touching distance with Ebbsfleet.

“I see them as very solid candidates to win the league. That is the first reason why I want to beat them.

“Last year a lot of things happened to the club. It started with Ebbsfleet signing Sam Deering and then other things – and what happened in the semi-final.

“But I don’t hold any bad feelings against the club or the Ebbsfleet manager, who I respect very well. We have a good relationship.

“It is just a sporting rivalry which means I want to go there and win. It’s sport.”

Hawks could have Marvin Hamilton back in contention.

The centre-back missed Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at home to Maidenhead after taking a blow to the head three days earlier against Dartford. Ramon Marimon has taken his place for the last match-and-a-half.

French striker Wilf Tagbo could be pushing for a start after making his debut off the bench on Saturday.