By Alex Hoad

Dover Athletic manager Martin Hayes has paid tribute to keeper Mikhael Jaimez-Ruiz and hopes the Venezuelan international will be a key part of a Blue Square Bet South promotion-winning squad.

Ruiz has been in inspirational form since coming in to replace Lee Hook, who suffered a rib injury in Whites’ third game of the season at Truro, and Dover are undefeated in four games since.

The 27-year-old former Aldershot keeper - who also had spells in his home country and in Romania for Champions League side Cluj - has now signed a contract with the Whites until the end of the season.

Hayes (pictured) admitted Ruiz was keen to play full-time football, but said he hoped he would stay with the Whites long enough to fulfil that dream.

Hayes said: "He has come in, he has a bit of experience and he has done really well.

"He has filled a gap, we wanted two top keepers and now we have three at the club that might be a bit of a luxury.

"He has got good ways. He got the players together at the end of Saturday’s game and the fans love him.

"We’re pleased to have got him on contract.

"If league clubs come in for our players we’ve always said we’d not stand in their way - we don’t want to stop people progressing their careers, and Mikhael wants to get back into full-time football, but who knows what might happen, we’ll see where we are at the end of the season."