FA Cup: Dover can test Crystal Palace, says manager Chris Kinnear

Chris Kinnear expects Dover to provide a tough test for visiting Crystal Palace, who travel to the Kent coast for Sunday’s FA Cup clash at Crabble Athletic Ground.

Kinnear, manager of the mid-table Conference club, does not rule out the prospect of Dover becoming the latest non-League side to enjoy a cup success over a top-flight team.

And Kinnear is well aware that new Palace boss Alan Pardew has not had enough time to make any major changes to the way the team plays after just a couple of days in charge at Selhurst Park.

Looking ahead to Sunday's third round match, Kinnear said: "He (Pardew) can't change Crystal Palace in two days. The players can't change the way they play in two days.

The Palace players can't change the way they play in two days.

"Everyone around the country will be willing us to win, unless you're a Palace supporter of course.

"And who knows, maybe the Newcastle supporters will be on our side as well. They are relatively local to us, we have some players who live in that area.

"Alan's arrival means more attention is on the game, we've got a capacity crowd and we can't wait.

"We won't change how we play. Yes, we'll have to defend of course, but we are still going to go for it.

"And why shouldn't we? Wrexham beat Arsenal, Sutton beat Coventry, so maybe now it can be Dover beating Palace – there's a chance."

Pardew left Newcastle earlier this week to join Palace – for whom he played in the 1990 FA Cup final – taking training for the first time on Friday.