Ahkeem Rose finally scored his first goal for Dover at the weekend – and boss Andy Hessenthaler hopes it’s the first of many.

The 22-year-old is the only player to have featured in every Whites games so far this season, but he did miss a chunk of pre-season through injury.

“He picked up an injury in pre-season against Folkestone and that set him back,” said Hessenthaler.

“The last two games he has been excellent - he is starting to adjust to this level.

“He is away from home, his girlfriend and young child, and living in Dover.

“He made a fantastic run and jump to get his goal and that’s him up and running now.

“It’s been tough for him, he has found it hard to settle, as many of the team have, with it being so stop-start this season because of what’s been going on.

“He’s needed to build up his fitness. Now he looks like he is enjoying himself and getting that first goal can only give him confidence.”

Rose joined Dover in September after leaving League 2 Grimsby.

Meanwhile, the Dover boss has not ruled out further additions in the loan market – but he will have to choose carefully.

Whites already have four players on loan and can only name five in each matchday squad under league rules.

There might be a better pool of players available once the January transfer window ends for Football League clubs at the end of this month.

“We can still bring players in after the window,” explained Hessenthaler. “A lot of league clubs will want to see players go out in the league but if they can’t do that then this division is fantastic for them to come and play games.

“I think teams will want to see what happens but we’re on the border with loans.

“We’ve got four and you can only play five so if there’s something out there that improves us then we might look to do something.”

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