Chris Kinnear admits it has been frustrating not being able to make any signings over the past few weeks.

The Dover boss says the management team are constantly looking to improve the squad but that getting deals over the line is proving difficult.

He revealed Whites have been close on occasions lately but says they will not live beyond their means, having seen the problems that has caused other clubs in the National League, including Hartlepool, Chester and Macclesfield.

Kinnear said: “We are trying (to get players in), we’ve been actively looking the last few weeks but it’s a matter of the right player at the right price.

“We’re not going to overspend because looking at the way some of the other clubs in the league are struggling financially, there are some big clubs that are struggling so that won’t ever happen here but yes we probably do need to freshen things up.

“We have been close but then again obviously the pound talks in football at the moment. It’s frustrating but you’ve just got to get on with it.”

With strikers Jamie Allen and Tobi Sho-Silva both out due to long-term injuries, Whites are particularly keen to strengthen their attacking options.

Top scorer Ryan Bird has 16 goals in all competitions but only two in his last 15 league starts. The club’s next highest marksman is Mitch Pinnock with seven.

Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat against promotion rivals Sutton saw Whites slip from sixth to ninth - their lowest position in the National League since August.

They still have 14 games remaining, the first of which is away to Solihull Moors on Saturday.

They then return to Crabble on Tuesday when they host Dagenham & Redbridge and Kinnear says their aim remains the same as it has always been.

He said: “To try to win every game - that’s our target. We want to win every game, you hold yourself back if you say how many (points you need), every game you’re trying to get three points and sometimes that’s our downfall because we’re trying to win every game.

“There’s still a long, long way to go and a lot can happen between now and then.

“We’ve definitely not given anything up. It’s a close league and we’ve just got to be one of those that does not feel sorry for ourselves and try to win games.

“Players won’t lie down at this club, we’ve just got to try and be a bit cuter in games.”