THE new Dover Athletic manager is set to be unveiled – and fans can expect someone used to Whites’ current level.

An announcement could be made as early as today and the club are keen to make an appointment before the weekend.

Chairman Jim Parmenter said: "We’ve had a lot of big names apply but we’re not necessarily looking to put a high profile name in place. That gets you headlines but it doesn’t necessarily get you results at this level.

"To win this league you’ve got to have a good knowledge of this level and this league. And we’re going to be recruiting players from a reasonably local area - so whoever gets the job needs to have a knowledge of the south-east.

"It’s a process now of trying to get the right man in position - so that he’s got the best chance possible of (a) talking to our players who are out of contract and (b) talking to new players."

The club had been planning an early-June appointment, but the departure of Craig Wilkins to Maidstone United has focussed minds on the problem of out-of-contract players.

Whites’ board were interviewing a shortlist of three this week, selected from over 20 CVs. Applications have been received from as far afield as Liverpool.

Those who might best fit Mr Parmenter’s requirements had not applied as of last week. The managers who have won Whites’ division in the last three years are: the Alan Walker-Lloyd Hume partnership of Maidstone United, Ramsgate’s Jim Ward and AFC Wimbledon’s Dave Anderson.

Folkestone Invicta’s Neil Cugley has just signed a new contract while ex-Dover caretaker boss Terry White is not in the running.

Ex-Dover captain Tim Dixon has been tipped in some quarters. Given his lack of experience however, the club might prefer to offer him another role.

The high profile joint bid involving an ex-Dover player has dropped back in the betting in the light of Mr Parmenter’s comments. But ultimately, of course, the decision depends on how the shortlisted candidates come across at interview.

Mr Parmenter again confirmed that ex-Gillingham players Andy Hessenthaler and Iwan Roberts had not applied. Both were rumoured to be interested.

Neither have ex-Gravesend boss Andy Ford nor former Dover manager Chris Kinnear expressed an interest. But ex-Maidstone and Gillingham striker Steve Butler said he was considering a late application, and former Deal Town boss Tommy Sampson has already confirmed his interest.