Hayes is about to start his second season as Dover manager

Dover manager Martin Hayes has said his squad have already gelled, nine days before the start of the new season.

After losing Ross Flitney, Matt Fish and Adam Birchall to Gillingham, Hayes did most of his transfer business early in the close season.

He signed ten new players and told BBC Radio Kent he is happy with how his squad have been preparing.

He said: "They've been working together for five weeks now. They've all settled down and blended in quite well."

He added: "We did a lot of things early with players. We haven't brought in too many faces along the way. We started with the bulk of what we've got now.

"Two or three of them have come from the same club [Rushden and Diamonds], Ed Harris was here briefly before, and some of the others know the lads who are already here," said Hayes.

"Everyone's getting on well and I'm happy with the way the squad looks."

On Wednesday, more than 2,500 people watched Dover play an Arsenal XI at Crabble. Arsenal won the game 3-0 with goals from Benik Afobe, Henri Lansbury and former Gillingham player Luke Freeman. However, the night was marred by an injury to new centre-half Steven Watt who dislocated his shoulder.

Dover start the Blue Square Bet South season against Dorchester on 13 August.

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