by Kevin Redsull

Dover manager Nicky Forster is banking on the expertise of Whites’ physio Niall Clark as his players return to action after their three-week bad weather break.

Forster (pictured), whose side take on Truro in Blue Square Bet South at Crabble on Saturday, said: "Enforced lay-offs like we have had recently create problems in many areas.

"Training is obviously one of them, with most outdoor areas unplayable, so indoor facilities such as leisure centres and school halls have to be used.

"Fitness is the biggest issue during these periods as there really is no substitute for match-day tempo but under the guidance of Niall Clark we hope that when we start playing again we are as close to being 100%."

Clark, who has been head of sports science and conditioning at three Premier League clubs, accepted Forster’s offer to join him at Dover in November after the pair had worked together during Forster’s spell as a striker at Reading.

Whites trained indoors last Saturday after their game at Farnborough fell victim to the weather and goalkeeper Mikhael Jaimez-Ruiz revealed the key role that Clark now plays as part of Forster’s management team.

He said: "Niall takes care of the fitness part of our training sessions and everything he does is professional.

"It includes working on areas, apart from just fitness and training, that will improve our performance – things like nutrition and checking our body fat. That’s the sort of detail that can easily be ignored when you are a part-time club and only have the players together for two training sessions a week."