Tobi Sho-Silva says being injured for the majority of last season has helped him grow as a person off the pitch.

The Dover forward suffered a knee injury in October that kept him out for the rest of the National League campaign.

He made 14 appearances and scored one goal after joining Whites from Bromley last summer.

The 23-year-old said: "The injury has opened my eyes to how grateful I am to be a footballer.

"It has developed that hunger inside me and I will give my all any time I go out on that pitch.

"I was growing into the team at the time of the injury and we were on a good run.

"It got tough watching. When you are on the sidelines, you do all you can in supporting the boys, encouraging them and giving advice."

Dover finished the season outside the play-offs on goal difference after spending the majority of the season in the top seven.

Sho-Silva is one of six players who are already under contract with Whites for the 2018/19 campaign.

He said: "We have a lot to learn from and build on for next season. The boys did everything they could and it didn't go their way.

"The knee is perfect now and I'm ready to go in pre-season. I hope we can keep this group together."

Off the pitch, Sho-Silva is a devoted Christian and wants to use his platform as a footballer to do good in the world.

He is planning a trip to Rwanda and hopes to raise £2,500 to support the education of 20 children.

Sho-Silva said: "I'm going with my uncle as we have a few links out there and we are trying to sponsor 20 kids in their education.

"Footballers are in a privileged position so we have to do more to be role models in society and care for the needs of other people.

"This is the first thing of this kind that I'm doing and I'm looking to do more in the future."

To donate towards his project, visit www.gofundme.com/projectrwanda.