DOVER Athletic's promotion chances will face a stiff examination on Saturday when they take on Stafford Rangers.

Whites are currently in a misleadingly high position with just 21 points from 19 games - at least five points short of the total they need to be on course for Conference Division 2 (South) next season. Their target must be a minimum of 60 points to be sure of promotion, meaning they need another 39 points from 23 games.

Manager Richard Langley knows it is time to get serious and his side face a tough test against last season's runners-up, who did the double over Whites last season.

Left-sided midfielder Jimmy Jackson is spending a month at the Hoverspeed Stadium on loan from Conference outfit Dagenham & Redbridge.

Meanwhile, assistant manager Mark Patterson has used his Gillingham contacts to bring in 19-year-old Andy Crofts for a month, while Tom Hickman has returned to Dover from Herne Bay.

Langley faces defensive problems ahead of Saturday's game with Andy Arnott doubtful for the trip after a flare-up of his calf problem and Dean Readings is suspended for one game.

But Matt Carruthers is set to return after a back injury kept him out of the last two matches.

Lee Spiller and Danny Chapman have signed new contracts to keep them at the Hoverspeed Stadium until the end of the 2005-6 season.

The club are hoping to sort out new deals by Christmas with the other players whose contracts expire at the end of the season.