DOVER Athletic will be aiming to deliver an instant response following Saturday’s heavy defeat at Chester when they host Sutton United at Crabble on Tuesday.
Whites are hurting after the 5-0 loss, their heaviest of the season, and will be out to make amends.
The Surrey side will start the game 10th on the National League ladder, just one place and three points behind boss Chris Kinnear’s side.
But they are not enjoying a good time on the road – they have lost their past four away games.
They suffered defeats at Eastleigh (2-1), Wrexham (1-0), Gateshead (1-0) and Chester (4-0).
They last time we met, Ricky Modeste scored twice in a 3-0 win in the Conference South play-off semi-final second leg at Gander Green Lane.
That secured Dover a place in the final against Ebbsfleet and we all know what happened next!!
Dover’s current squad contains five of the starting line-up from that momentous last game against Sutton.
They are: Mitch Walker, Chris Kinnear jnr, Richard Orlu, Ricky Modeste and Emmanuel.
Goalkeeping coach Lee Hook was an unused substitute.
*BS* SUTTON’S RECENT FORM*BF*
They beat visiting Guiseley 1-0 last Saturday thanks to a first half own goal.
Seven days earlier they lost at Eastleigh after they had beaten Tranmere 1-0 at Gander Green Lane the week before.
*BS*RECENT MEETINGS *BF*
17/09/13: Sutton United 1-0 Dover Athletic
18/02/14: Dover Athletic 0-1 Sutton United
30/04/14: Dover Athletic 1-1 Sutton United
03/05/14: Sutton United 0-3 Dover Athletic
*BS*HITMEN *BF*
Whites’ top scorer in the league this season is Ricky Miller with seven while Sutton’s leading man is Nicky Bailey with three, although he is suspended for this game.
Bailey is serving the final game of his two-match ban following an incident with the reserve official before the loss at Eastleigh.
*BS*TEAM NEWS*BF*
Dover have fitness concerns over goalkeeper Steve Arnold after his knock at Chester on Saturday while Richard Orlu (hamstring) will miss a fourth straight game.
Ricky Modeste is also in the treatment room.
*BS*COVERAGE *BF*
The game starts at 7.45pm but if you are unable to make the trip to Crabble, we will have live updates on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText – follow us and get all the news as it happens!
Coverage starts from 7pm.
*BS*TUESDAY’S OTHER NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES *BF*
Aldershot v Forest Green Rovers
Barrow v Macclesfield
Braintree v Boreham Wood
Bromley v Woking
Eastleigh v Maidstone
Guiseley v York
North Ferriby United v Chester
Solihull Moors v Southport
Torquay v Dagenham & Redbridge
Tranmere v Gateshead
Wrexham v Lincoln
*BS*LOOKING AHEAD *BF*
Whites make the long trip north to Gateshead on Saturday and there will be a Supporters Club coach running.
It leaves Crabble at 6am and the cost is as follows:
Adults Members £40, Adult Non Members £45 and accompanied child (under 16) £15.
Please call or text Andy on 0793 4300335 or see him in the Centre Spot before or after Tuesday’s game with Sutton United to book your seat.