ANDY Arnott is relishing his captain’s role as Dover continue their encouraging start to life in the Dr Martens League – and with good reason.

The 28-year-old former Gillingham, Leyton Orient, Fulham, Brighton and Colchester player has been plagued by injuries for the past couple of seasons, but he has been an ever-present for Whites so far this campaign.

Arnott said after Monday night’s win over Hastings: “I have played eight games in a row which is something I haven’t done for a long, long time because of my injuries, which forced me to retire from the professional game.”

Arnott was with Stevenage last season and Margate showed an interest in signing him before Clive Walker moved in.

“I spoke to Margate but they didn’t offer me anything concrete and when Clive, who I have known for a few years, offered me the chance to step back into a proper standard of football I bit his hand off.

“It’s nice to be captain as well. Danny (Chapman) was lined up to do it, but he missed the start of the season through injury and so Clive asked me to do it, and I am loving it.”

Arnott’s strength and experience, either at centre half or in a defensive midfield role, has already served Whites well, with Walker saying: “Arnie has been excellent for us. I have known him since he was a kid and he is now playing again like he was before his injuries.”

The Dover manager was again delighted with his team’s commitment in the win over Hastings, which kept Whites on the coat-tails of early leaders Worcester City.

This Saturday Dover are at home to Stafford Rangers, who have made a reasonable start with 12 points from eight games.

Walker will again be without midfielder Jamie Day because of an ankle injury but he is hoping that Matt Carruthers will be fit to return after missing the Hastings match. Paul Sykes took part in the warm-up before Monday’s game and could be in the squad on Saturday, but Tommy Tyne won’t be ready to return for at least another week.

On Tuesday, Dover are away to Crawley Town in what will be their biggest test of the season so far. The Sussex side are in joint second place with Whites and Tiverton, and will be looking to avenge the 2-1 defeat they suffered at Crabble three weeks ago.

* Dover Reserves’ next fixture is away to Sittingbourne Reserves on Saturday.