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Dover Athletic assistant manager Nicky Southall says Whites are interested in bringing in two strikers

Nicky Southall has revealed Dover are interested in signing not one but two strikers.

Andy Hessenthaler's side are trying to bolster their forward options, with Whites having already missed out on two of their targets.

Dover's Nicky Southall. Picture: Andy Jones
Dover's Nicky Southall. Picture: Andy Jones

Dover are 12th in the National League but are only three points off the play-off places with games in hand on most sides above them in the league after their 2-0 home success over Aldershot on Saturday.

Southall, Dover's assistant, says he has been in contact with a Premier League club about one of their Under-23 players and is hoping to have positive news at the start of the week.

When asked if one transfer could create a domino effect in the market which would allow Dover to bolster their attacking options, Southall replied: "Yeah, exactly.

"That’s what happens.

"But if you are talking to players in the Premier League, Championship or League One, they are waiting to try and stay in the Football League.

"But hopefully, we can get this deal (involving a player at a Premier League club) sorted.

"We are actually in for two strikers, so that's hot off the press.

"But unfortunately, we are governed by agents touting these players around (to see if their player can) go to a league (club) before they will drop down to our level, even though our level is full-time and, basically, like the old Division Four.

"It’s a bit frustrating.

"Myself, the gaffer (Andy Hessenthaler), Darren (Hare, coach) and even Lee Worgan (keeper and goalkeeping coach), we have been constantly on the phone for the last few weeks which has been frustrating.

"But we believe we have good forwards here, as well."

"We are speaking to a couple of clubs," Southall continued.

"I spoke to an Under-23 manager on Friday night, so we might have more news hopefully on Monday.

"It's at a Premier League club.

Dover goalkeeper Lee Worgan has picked up a minor ankle injury. Picture: Alan Langley
Dover goalkeeper Lee Worgan has picked up a minor ankle injury. Picture: Alan Langley

"But the problem is a lot of players are just waiting (throughout the) January transfer window.

"We have spoken to a lot of players and managers but, ultimately, the agents are stepping in the way and they’re the ones blocking players from coming.

"There are some over-inflated prices and agent fees - and we don’t want to be a part of that.

"The chairman (Jim Parmenter), obviously, is in the market for a striker.

"If we can get one who can tick all the boxes, (we will sign them). But we don’t want players just coming here to pick up a wage packet (especially) if we end up getting someone full-time.

"We want players that are going to come in and improve us and, ultimately, get goals for us.

"We can’t keep relying on Inih (Effiong).

"I know he has 11 goals this season but sometimes, as a striker, you want help from other people.

"I think Inih is snatching at things at the minute because everything is weighed too much on his shoulders."

Leyton Orient loan defender Shadrach Ogie scored a superb individual goal in Dover's win against the Shots on his home debut.

Ogie's second-half strike came after skipper Kevin Lokko had put the home team ahead at Crabble in the first half.

Goalkeeper Lee Worgan has a minor ankle injury and will miss Dover's trip to take on sixth-placed Halifax on Tuesday night.

Read more: All the latest sports news in Kent

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