Dover surprised by lack of interest in Adam Birchall

Birchall was a highly-rated striker in his Arsenal days

Dover boss Martin Hayes admits he has been surprised not to receive any interest in striker Adam Birchall during the January transfer window.

Birchall, 26, has scored 31 goals for the Blue Square Bet South side so far this season.

"I thought some of the lesser clubs might come in with silly small offers but nothing at all for Adam which is surprising," Hayes told BBC Radio Kent.

"I hope he stays here, he should be staying until the end of the season."

Hayes added: "Maybe it might be something that happens in the summer, we'll have to wait and see.

"But it would be nice if he can help us achieve what we want to achieve, which is promotion - even if it's through the play-offs."

Birchall started his career as a trainee with Arsenal, rising through the junior ranks to reach Arsene Wenger's first-team squad.

But after failing to make a senior appearance he left in 2005 and spent two seasons apiece at Mansfield Town and Barnet.

He quit the Bees in 2009 - admitting he was "fed up with football".

But he was persuading to change his mind by the then Dover boss (and former Bees team-mate Andy Hessenthaler), and decided to sign for him and go semi-professional instead.