Alan Pouton has almost certainly played his last game for Dover, with manager Andy Hessenthaler confessing that he expected the midfielder to leave Crabble.

The 32-year-old Geordie has yet to agree terms, leaving Hessenthaler to concede: "It looks like he will be leaving for reasons which are more personal than anything else."

Newcastle-born Pouton (pictured right) stepped out of retirement in June, 2007 to sign for Dover, and though hampered by a persistent knee injury became a powerful influence in midfield. He started his career with Oxford before going on to play for York, Grimsby and Gillingham – his final Football League club.

But while Hessenthaler was pondering life without Pouton, three other players – strikers Frannie Collin and Shaun Welford and goalkeeper John Whitehouse – have agreed new deals at the club.

Of Welford’s decision, Hessenthaler said: "He is a key player for us and we believe he is going to continue to do well."

Collin and Whitehouse have both signed one-year contracts although Whitehouse, who missed a large chunk of last season after dislocating a shoulder, faces stiff competition from new signing Lee Hook, a former Eastbourne Borough goalkeeper who became Hessenthaler’s first close-season signing.