After celebrating three years back at the club, Chris Kinnear hopes to showcase Dover’s progress by toppling leaders Cheltenham in front of the TV cameras on Sunday.

Town are 11 points clear of fourth-placed Dover at the top of the Vanarama National League and Kinnear has tipped them to take the title.

When Kinnear returned to Crabble, Cheltenham were battling for promotion to League 1 while Whites were mid-table in Conference South and he said: “It’s another game which shows just how far we’ve come.

“They spent years in the Football League while we were in the Ryman Leagues five or six years ago. We are both in the top-four now, though, and it should be a good game.”

Kinnear said having the game screened live on BT Sport was a boost to the club’s profile but bemoaned the 12.15pm kick-off, saying “I don’t like it. I think it probably suits them more as they’ll be in a hotel and will be able to get up later than my players and travel together.

“Being on TV gives us publicity though and people start to know who we are. The last time we were on TV, against Woking, we did well so hopefully we can give another good account of ourselves.”

Kinnear refused to take the credit for the club’s success since his return on January 19, 2013, which has seen Whites climb through the leagues as well as memorable FA Cup runs including ties against MK Dons and Crystal Palace.

He said: “We’ve done well in that time, but it’s not just me, it’s a team thing, the coaches, the physio, the kitman and the scout – everyone has had an input. I am not being modest, decisions are made by consensus, it’s just I get the final decision.”

Dover defeated Southport 2-1 in the FA Trophy on Saturday and earned another home tie with Vanarama National League rivals as Guiseley were handed a last-16 trip to Crabble on February 6.

Kinnear said: “You want a home draw, and we got that. Guiseley are a decent team and have beaten some good teams – it is not the easiest draw but it certainly could have been a lot worse.”