A STRIKER, a goalkeeper and a centre half are needed as Dover Athletic’s pre-season programme gets into full swing, believes manager Clive Walker.

He was in the Crabble dug-out on Monday night to watch his side defeat Eastbourne Borough 1-0 in their opening friendly, having just returned from a one-month coaching stint in America. And afterwards Walker said: “We haven’t got a bad-looking squad but I need another two or three players, including a striker.”

One of the men in the attacking frame is Paul Sykes, providing he can prove his fitness. Sykes, released by Margate last season, has been playing for Kent League club Herne Bay since ligament damage ended his brief Conference career. He was prolific for Margate during their two promotion seasons in the Eastern and Premier Divisions and Walker feels he could prove a good signing at this level.

The Dover manager is keen to increase his attacking options, although new boy Nicky Dent and Tommy Tyne will be given the chance to prove that they can forge an effective strike partnership. Walker said: “We can't just rely on one front pair. That's more or less what we did last season and when goals dry up you need other options.”

With Phil Smith having joined Margate, Walker needs to find goalkeeping cover for Paul Hyde while central defence remains his other area of concern, although the solid performances produced by Andy Arnott and Nicky Humphries against Eastbourne will have eased some of his worries.

Dover are at home to Hemel Hempstead on Saturday (3pm) and tonight the Reserves are in action at Deal Town (7.45)