A former captain has rejoined Dover for their season run-in.

Ryan Hanson, now 24, makes his Crabble comeback on loan for the remainder of the campaign from National League South side Tonbridge.

A boyhood Dover supporter who grew up less than half a mile from the ground, midfielder Hanson started his career as a Crystal Palace youth-team player.

The former Dover Grammar School for Boys pupil joined Hull, initially returning to Dover on loan in 2020, before he signed for Whites permanently in 2021.

Having led his hometown club, Hanson left Dover for Torquay a year on for an undisclosed fee.

Hanson - whose had his season punctuated by injury since Christmas - has made 30 appearances for Tonbridge this term, including 23 starts.

He makes his Dover return with Jake Leberl’s troops challenging for Isthmian Premier promotion despite a bad dip in form.

“Best wishes to Ryan,” Angels boss Jay Saunders, who has also allowed defender Joe Tyrie to join Isthmian South East Beckenham on dual registration, told their club website.

“Hopefully, he can get some games under his belt.”

Hanson will hope to be involved when Dover host strugglers Bowers & Pitsea this weekend while Tonbridge welcome Torquay - ironically, one of Hanson’s former clubs - to Longmead.