Manager Andy Hessenthaler fears he could be without Dover wideman Travis Gregory for the rest of this season.

Gregory hasn’t featured since pulling out in the warm-up before Whites’ draw at Yeovil last month.

Speaking after Dover’s 1-0 FA Trophy loss to National League rivals Bromley last weekend, which came through a Khale Da Costa own goal, Hessenthaler revealed Gregory has a knee injury - and Covid to boot. Maidstone loanee Alfie Pavey also has Covid.

Pavey, initially, wasn’t given permission to play against Andy Woodman's Ravens by his parent club.

He then was allowed to play after Maidstone progressed as scheduled opponents Maidenhead pulled out of the Trophy due to Covid cases of their own last week - but Pavey ended up missing out anyway.

Hessenthaler explained: “Alfie has got Covid.

"He wasn’t down to play but I spoke to Hakan (Hayrettin, the manager) at Maidstone and he was prepared to let us play him.

“But as it happened, I wanted to give the likes of Noah Carney a chance anyway and Alfie has got Covid, unfortunately, along with Travis Gregory.

“Travis also had some bad news. He may have to have an operation on his knee.

"He has got to have a scan because he has a problem with his cartilage.

“Fingers crossed it’s not the case, but he may miss the rest of the season, which is a blow.

“Will Moses has Covid - he’s got it for the second time - and Danny Collinge has Covid.

“I suspect Ben Williamson has got Covid.

"He’s not been feeling well (as of last weekend) and that wouldn’t surprise me if he did end up returning a positive test in the next couple of days.”

Since rejoining Whites, Pavey has made a difference and, with his loan up after the Boxing Day home match against Dagenham, Hessenthaler hopes to extend his spell back at Crabble.

“I have asked the question,” revealed Hessenthaler, who is also dealing without the injured duo of keeper Adam Parkes and midfielder TJ Bramble.

“I’m going to get an answer on that (soon) because his last game is actually on Boxing Day.”

Basement boys Dover are hopeful of having defenders Seth Twumasi (knee) and Collinge back against Dagenham.

Hessenthaler also hinted he may change some personnel in his squad next month with the loans for Millwall’s Junior Tiensia, Gillingham’s Henry Woods and Harry Ransom, of Crawley, up while there is a recall option in four-goal top-scorer Aaron Cosgrave’s season-long loan deal from AFC Wimbledon.

Hessenthaler admitted: “I think we might need to freshen it up. We have got a few boys on loan and I need to talk to them.

“Their loan periods are coming up, and we might need some new faces.

"I’ve had a chat with the chairman (Jim Parmenter) and that might be the case (that new players are brought in) in the next couple of weeks but, if there’s anything, it will be loans.

“We will have to talk about that because we have got six loans at the moment so we need to be careful with that.”

For now, though, with a trip to Woking on December 28 following their home match against Dagenham, Hessenthaler has called for more from his younger players.

When asked if all he wanted this Christmas was a first win of the season, Hessenthaler replied: “100 per cent, like everybody at the club.

“It’s getting hard. It’s another game that we have lost by the odd goal (against Bromley).

“I know it was a mixed side for both teams but it was another sloppy goal.

“I feel for the boys but they know my thoughts. We have got to put it right.

"We can’t rely on a couple of senior players to try and pull the team along, some of these younger players in the squad need to stand up and be counted as well.”

Academy frontman Noah Carney has been named in the 18-player England under-18s schoolboys squad alongside Jack Beerling, of Cray Valley, after the third and final trial in Birmingham on Sunday.