Nathan Elder is adamant he still has plenty to offer but the striker doubts he’ll ever get the chance to prove it at Dover again.

The man whose goal secured Whites’ promotion to Vanarama Conference after the 1-0 play-off final triumph at Ebbsfleet United last season is out of favour at Crabble and that doesn’t look like changing anytime soon.

He hasn’t played since the 2-0 home win against Chester on October 11 and was made available on loan or transfer in December.

Elder then spent a month with Conference South side Hayes & Yeading and another at Ryman League, Premier Division Maidstone United before returning to Chris Kinnear’s squad last month.

And with his contract due to expire at the end of the season, Elder appears destined to spend the rest of his time at Dover training rather than playing.

Elder, who played for Brighton, Brentford, Shrewsbury and Hereford in the Football League, said it had been a season he would rather forget.

He said: “It’s been the worst of my career and been hard to cope with.

“I train hard with the lads throughout the week but no matter how well I do or how much I put in, I can never get a look in. It’s just so frustrating.

“Every player wants to play regular football and I am no different. You want to be out there playing and helping the side.”

And to play on a regular basis is what Elder craves for with his 30th birthday rapidly approaching.

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