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Dover Athletic: Manager Andy Hessenthaler provides team news ahead of Wrexham clash

06:00, 09 August 2019

Dover are set to be without Paul Rooney again when they host Wrexham at Crabble on Saturday.

The former Colchester United defender signed for Whites at the beginning of June before picking up an injury in pre-season and missing the opening two National League fixtures.

Fellow summer signing Bilel Hinchiri could, however, be involved having had to wait for his international clearance after his move from French fourth division side Charitois.

Dover manager Andy Hessenthaler. Picture: Alan Langley
Dover manager Andy Hessenthaler. Picture: Alan Langley

Dover boss Andy Hessenthaler said: "He (Rooney) is not ready yet, he's another week or so away, but he's the only one.

"Bilel (Hinchiri) has now got his international clearance through, he's had a knock but we hope he could come into contention for Saturday."

Hessenthaler faces some more tough decisions in regards to selection as Dover look to respond to Tuesday's 2-1 defeat to Dagenham & Redbridge.

He added: "We've got a group in there, we've got Will de Havilland chomping at the bit, Aaron Simpson, Joe Bedford and Kurtis Cumberbatch who can't get in the squad, so they're all under pressure.

"They've got to handle that pressure, there's competition for places and they know I won't be afraid to change things because we've got a good squad here."

A key area promises to be midfield, with Jack Munns, Michael Woods, Oscar Gobern and Jai Reason having started in a diamond set-up in mid-week.

While the quartet interchanged well at times both with their defensive responsibilities and getting on the ball, Hessenthaler was left wanting more when it came to making attacking runs.

"I thought it was excellent in pre-season when we played it," said the Dover boss.

"We had a lot of the ball but the problem is with that shape and when teams drop in you've got to play quicker. We didn't play quick enough at times.

"We got the ball out to our full-backs but then we needed our midfield players making runs to create two-on-ones at times."

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