Dover boss Andy Hessenthaler feels his team are still a major scalp for sides in National League South.

Hessenthaler’s side were relegated last season after a campaign which started with a 12-point deduction and ended with just two league wins to their name.

Dover have already matched that number of victories in the division below last month but, despite not being anywhere near the division’s big spenders, Hessenthaler believes they are still seen as a big target for clubs.

Relegated teams can often struggle to get going again - Weymouth have taken just one point in six games - but Hessenthaler is pleased with Dover’s start so far.

“It’s a challenge, we’ve just come out of the league above and they’re good facilities at Dover in terms of the pitch, changing rooms and I think people come and raise their game,” said Hessenthaler.

“Everyone knows we’ve had our problems and have just come out of the National League but every game is tough. Teams will make it difficult for us and we’ve got to be able to handle that.

“Any team that comes out of the league above is a target, you’ve only got to look at what’s happening with Weymouth, who are having a tough start.

“It’s not easy and it’s like any team that goes down out of the division - it’s hard to bounce back.

“We’re not looking to bounce back because, as a club, we can’t afford to bounce back. We want to have a season where we are competing, which we are, and see where it takes us.

“It isn’t a lack of ambition, it’s where we are as a club. It’s a rebuilding process, we’ve got 12 new players and it’s been a tough couple of years for the fans. They were out in force behind the boys again at Ebbsfleet.

“It’s realistic, that league above is just crazy now. We want to have a season where we can compete, and we will do with this group of players, even though it’s a small squad.”

Dover’s squad could be stretched further this week with Jordan Higgs (foot) and Mitch Brundle (knee) both going off injured in the second half of Monday’s 3-0 defeat at Fleet.

Hessenthaler will hope both can feature in this weekend’s trip to Eastbourne, a side who - like Dover - have started the season with seven points from their first six matches.

“The blow for us is that we’ve lost Jordan Higgs who has been excellent for us - he may need to have an X-ray - and Mitch Brundle,” said Hessenthaler.

“If we lose them, they are tough players to lose because the squad is so small.

“Jordan’s kicked the bottom of the lad’s boot so it’s unlucky. It will be a blow for us if they’re not available next week.”

Goalkeeper Ryan Sandford’s loan spell from Millwall ended after the Ebbsfleet game with veteran stopper Stuart Nelson proving his fitness at Stonebridge Road, playing his first match for Dover.