Dover boss Andy Hessenthaler has pledged his future to the club – even if they don’t win promotion this year.

The former Gillingham manager has guided Dover to back-to-back promotions since joining them in May 2007 but has been linked with Football League jobs on a regular basis after turning around Whites’ fortunes.

"I won’t walk away if we don’t go up – I’m committed to the club and the project we have here," insisted Hessenthaler.

"I have never denied I want to manage in the (Football) League again one day but the aim for this club is to get back into the Blue Square Premier.

"It will be a fine achievement if we can do that."

While Hessenthaler insists he wants promotion to the Blue Square Premier, he has admitted the quick progress through the divisions could lead to problems with establishing them in the next tier.

Hessenthaler said discussions have been held with the chairman about whether to aim for promotion or consolidate in the Blue Square South.

He said: "The thing is, there is such a big gulf between Blue Square South and Blue Square Premier that I think if you go up you’d need to go full-time. I’m not sure if we’d be able to support that with the gates as they are.

"We do have great support but our gates have hardly gone up this season.

"Sometimes it might not be the worst thing to spend a year having a look at a division and then give it a go the following year.

"We will still be concentrating on trying to get into that top five this season.

"There may be a time in the spring when we need to sit and talk about where we are and whether we want to go for it or not. At the moment we want to go for it."

Whites host third-placed Thurrock on Saturday, before travelling to Staines on Tuesday night.

Nicky Southall is a doubt after suffering an ankle knock against Dartford but Olly Schulz and Jon Wallis could return.