Dover manager Mitch Brundle has revealed he has been priced out of deals for potential new signings.

Brundle, named as Andy Hessenthaler’s permanent successor on an 18-month contract last Monday, is setting about trying to freshen up the National League South club’s squad.

Ex-Barnsley and Torquay man Cameron Thompson played for Dover last Tuesday in a 2-0 Kent Senior Cup loss at Isthmian South East Chatham, but has now joined Dulwich.

“We have missed out on three or four due to financial reasons,” said Brundle, who has lost out on some targets who didn’t realise Whites train in the day.

“But it’s my job to keep recruiting and trying to find a little gem along the way. We need to make sure it’s the right player for the right money.

“We need to be smart and strategic to ensure we get the best players in.

“There’s certain positions we are looking to add in. We know we have had enough chances to score goals.

"We will look to add to that department.”

Thompson had come through 90 minutes at Chatham for a much-changed Dover team.

“He was someone we were looking at,” explained Brundle, who remains in talks with other potential signings. “He is someone who was training with us for a while.

“But he is a Dulwich player now so good luck to him. We wish Cam all the best.

“He played at Chatham and it shows people on the outside that we are trying to get people in.

"Hopefully, there will be good news on that soon.”

Brundle, 28, replaced Hessenthaler at the helm and the pair still maintain a good relationship. Hessenthaler has rejoined Gillingham as head of recruitment.

Brundle said: “Obviously, he has been busy with his own job! They have been making big strides.

“Every time I get a chance, we speak but, with it being January, he’s about as busy as he can be.

“He will always offer his help. We have a fantastic relationship and friendship.

“He has always helped me - whether I was playing for him or not.

“What he did for the football club was massive. He stayed loyal and there’s not that much loyalty in the game any more.

“He is a legend of the game so I will always ask for his advice.”

Brundle confirmed coach Mike Sandmann will remain with him in the dugout but didn’t rule out adding to his backroom staff.

He said: “Mike will still be heavily involved. It’s worked well until now.

“There’s no point changing something that doesn’t need changing.

“Will it stay like that, going forwards? We will wait and see.”

Brundle conceded he won’t be able to put his own stamp on things immediately.

“It’s still been a quick turnaround so it’ll be a case of slowly but surely,” he said.

“You cannot change everything in one week or one month. We will keep plugging away to see if we can get some personnel in. It’s a bit of a shame.

“I know it wasn’t a win, but we had a really positive performance against Ebbsfleet and a win against Taunton. Then the momentum has sort of been killed a bit.”

Brundle was meant to take charge of his first league fixture since his permanent appointment at home to Havant last Saturday, only for the game to be the subject of a late postponement.

Now, Dover aren’t due to be at home again until Tuesday’s rearranged game against Worthing. They are away to Hemel Hempstead this Saturday.

Brundle said: “Obviously we have taken charge of three games already even before that [his appointment as permanent boss].

“Hopefully we can get some good results so the first home game becomes more of a scene.”

On the late decision to postpone the Havant fixture, Brundle added: “It’s always frustrating when you plan and prepare so much for a game and it gets called off at the last minute. We did everything we could, putting covers on the pitch.

"Apart from the far side of the pitch, everything was playable. So it was a bit of misfortune, really.

“They wanted the game on and we wanted the game on.

“The frustrating part is that it’s not like we could watch another team - like Tonbridge - because most of those games were called off as well.”

Dover lost 4-0 at Tonbridge on Tuesday in the league.