Manager Tony Burman believes leaders Dartford have strengthened their squad at the perfect time.

Nathan Collier rejoined the club from Hampton & Richmond this week, just days after Danny Mills arrived on a two-month loan deal from Ebbsfleet.

Darts are three points clear at the top of National League South and determined to stay there heading into Christmas.

Burman said: “With the injuries we had at the start of the season, we’ve come through and still managed to be top of the league so we’re doing something right and credit to the players for that.

“We’ve been working with 14 contracted players and some academy boys.

“We’ve had our injury problems – we haven’t seen Duane Ofori-Acheampong but he will come back. He’s getting very close to being ready but it’s taken pressure off getting him back before he’s ready with the two signings.

“We’ve strengthened, I think, at the right time when we’re going to come into a real busy spell. Pitches get softer, the weather changes and it’s a difficult period, the next two or three months. I’m delighted we’ve managed to strengthen the squad in the way we have.”

A fit Ofori-Acheampong will be the fifth striker at Burman’s disposal alongside Mills, Alfie Pavey, Andy Pugh and Warren Mfula.

“I’ve got some options there now and it’s great,” said Burman. “Over the Christmas period, the games come thick and fast and I’m pleased that if something happens, we’ve got it covered.

“There were a lot of clubs in for Danny but he wanted to come to us and he was impressed with what I had to say.

“I’d already put seven days notice in for Nathan and I was hoping to get him for Saturday’s game but it wasn’t to be and we had to wait for the seven days, which was up on Sunday.

“I felt I needed to bring another defender in because we need to be covered on all bases. I’m really pleased with what we’ve got right now.”

Danny Harris and Lee Noble return for Saturday’s game at Hungerford but Tom Bonner may be given time with his family after his partner gave birth to a baby boy on Sunday.

Darts are also monitoring Pavey, who has a chest infection and went to hospital for an x-ray after the 1-0 win at Poole last weekend.

“Hungerford had a great result at Chelmsford on Saturday,” Burman said. “We know it’s going to be difficult but we’ve got to go there with the same attitude we had at Poole.

"Sometimes these games are not going to be pretty but you have to keep going and hopefully get the three points.”