Dover manager Andy Hessenthaler is trying to persuade former Wales under-21 international Adam Birchall to come to Crabble.

The 24-year-old striker, who made 12 appearances for Wales under-21s, was released by League 2 Barnet in May after three seasons at Underhill.

Hessenthaler briefly played alongside Birchall during his 18-month stint at Barnet before he took charge of Whites and said: "I am talking with Adam and hope to have a decision from him by the end of the week.

"He’s a nippy, livewire striker who reminds me of Paul Dickov but the stumbling block may be his apprehension about dropping down into non-league football.

"However, I managed to persuade Frannie Collin and Jon Wallis to do that and hopefully I will be able to do the same with Adam."

Maidstone-born Birchall joined Arsenal aged 12 and was with the Gunners for nine years but never made the first team and, after a loan spell at Wycombe, joined Mansfield.

He then moved on to Barnet in 2006 and played 86 league and cup games for the Bees, scoring 23 goals.

It would be a coup for Hessenthaler to attract a player of Birchall’s pedigree to Crabble, but he admitted: "I have got my doubts over whether Adam will come and if he doesn’t, then we will start looking elsewhere.

"I need a few more options up front but there’s no panic because Lee Browning can play there if necessary."