Chris Kinnear admits that the challenge of continually having to rebuild Dover’s squad is a big motivating factor for him and his management team.

Kinnear led Whites to the brink of the play-offs last season since when Ryan Bird, Mitch Pinnock, Manny Parry, Giancarlo Gallifuoco and Femi Ilesanmi have all departed – three of them to other National League clubs.

The Whites’ squad for their opening two games included seven newcomers – five of whom have started – but boss Kinnear says the latest summer upheaval should not impact on his or the club’s objectives.

Whites picked up their first point on Tuesday at Bromley where goals from Jamie Allen and Kevin Lokko secured a 2-2 draw.

Kinnear said: "More than half the side are new but we do this every year don’t we?

“We just can’t keep our players, off they go and we have to keep re-building. It’s not easy doing it every year but we’ve just got to get on with it.

“I started here (as manager) in 1986, obviously I’ve been off and done other things but I don’t feel any different, I’ve still got that same ambition.

“I’ve had a great career here in what we’ve achieved but I want to do even better. I want to get into the League with a team, obviously hopefully Dover, so that’s what drives me.

“I look in the mirror and I’m a little bit older but in my brain I don’t feel any different at all.

“Last year we were favourites to go down. I think we have been for the last three years but we were goal difference away (from finishing in the top seven), so this year we’ve got to try and go one better and get into the play-offs."

Dover travel to Gateshead on Saturday and hope to have winger Anthony Jeffrey back in the squad.

The winger missed the opening two games with a hamstring problem but is due to train on Thursday.

Forward Tobi Sho-Silva remains two or three weeks away from a return after damaging ankle ligaments in training.