Dartford could field as many as three new signings when they travel to Worthing this Saturday.

Manager Alan Dowson has finally made his move in the transfer market after they lost their previous game, at home to Hemel Hempstead nearly a fortnight ago.

Dowson has drafted in two players who he worked with at Woking. Right-back Tommy Block switches from fellow National League South side Hampton on a permanent deal while forward Jamar Loza has joined on an initial one-month loan from Barnet.

Left-back Jernade Meade, who featured under previous boss Steve King, has rejoined the Darts from Hemel.

“We’ve strengthened our squad a little bit now,” said Dowson, who saw Dartford’s home game with Taunton postponed last Saturday due to a frozen pitch.

“We were useless the other week against Hemel but we’ve got to move on, and move on quick.

“The back four has been superb but I just feel in my heart of hearts that we need more competition in those areas.

“We were gutted the game was off on Saturday but you can’t help the weather, and we trained well on Monday night.”

The signing of Block is a positive move for Dartford, with Dowson always insisting he would only bring in players who can improve the group.

The 23-year-old played under Dowson at the Cards but didn’t feel he had enough game time, and turned down a move to Princes Park in the summer over a switch to Hampton.

“He was a player I had at Woking and he’s probably been Hampton’s most consistent player,” explained Dowson.

“He came to see us at the weekend as he wanted to leave there, a few clubs came in for him but we met him and tied everything up.

“What you see is what you get, he’s a hard worker who can play right-back, right centre-half or in midfield. He’s an honest player and someone I’ve been after for a long time.

“He was one of my number one targets during the summer but he went to Hampton then because he felt I didn’t give him enough opportunities at Woking, which is fair enough. But we’ve kissed and made up.

“I didn’t play him as much as I should have done at Woking so I think he had the hump with me as I left him out of the side there. We can’t dwell on that forever, though, and I liked working with him and he liked working with me, he just needed game time.

“He’s been one of Hampton’s best players, he’s one of the best right-backs in the league. Maxwell Statham has done well but I think the one thing that the back four, particularly, has not had has been competition.

“I think he’ll be great for us, Loza will score a few goals and we’ve got Jernade back at the club as well. The only thing the players need now is to fight for places.”

Dowson believes he had to act to ensure Darts remain in a three-horse race for the title. They’ve lost top spot to Ebbsfleet but another run of positive results will maintain the pressure on the teams around them.

“Players can’t play every game, every week, but that’s what has happened here,” added Dowson.

“I just sensed from the Cheshunt game and against Hemel, that we had Academy boys on the bench which is lovely but we’re in the title race so if that’s the case we need to get three or four in which the board have been great about.

“I’ve been under budget all season so I’m bang on my budget now. We’re hoping to sort out Jack Smith to the end of the season as well so I look at the squad and think we’re not going to be too far off it.”