Ruben Soares-Junior is relishing his role at Dover, according to manager Jake Leberl.

Former Tonbridge, Margate and Folkestone forward Soares-Junior, 24, bagged the Isthmian Premier leaders’ first goal in last weekend’s 2-0 victory at struggling Bowers & Pitsea.

It was the Portuguese player’s second goal in as many games and his 11th of the campaign overall.

Leberl said: “I don’t really know what he has done previously regarding regular football, but he’s very key for us. He’s sort of relishing being that man.

“I think he likes the responsibility. He’s such a good lad, as well.

“You know what you’re going to get from him, he has been so consistent. Really, he’s the main man.

“I know Mitch (Walker) is the captain but he’s fairly reserved so Ruben definitely is the man that a lot of them look up to.”

Dover defender makes team-of-the-week

While 15-goal striker George Nikaj has led the way for Dover, who have won seven of their last eight league fixtures, Soares-Junior isn’t far behind.

“If Nikaj is suspended or injured, and similar with Ruben, the other players cannot walk out, thinking ‘Who’s going to do it?’,” said Leberl.

“We don’t need to rely on any one individual and, in that sense, it’s really pleasing.

“But I think Ruben would be the big miss, he would be the hardest one to replace.

“Hopefully, we can keep him fit and injury-free.”

Leberl also highlighted some players he felt haven’t quite got the credit they have deserved so far this campaign, such as Luca Cocoracchio.

He has had to adapt to playing without regular centre-back partner Joe Tennent in recent games.

Leberl said: “He has done fantastically.

“Obviously, the forwards get the plaudits for scoring the goals but every one of the players was at least an eight out of 10 on Saturday. Alfie Matthews was suspended but George Wilkinson came in. The boys really understand that it’s about the team and not about individuals.

“Fuad Sesay has been brilliant, Luca has been consistent, and Harrison Pont has been outstanding in some of the games.

“Jacob Mensah has come back and done well, as well.”

The recalled midfielder Wilkinson sent in the free-kick for Soares-Junior to convert midway through the first half at Bowers before midfielder Luke Baptiste, eventually, got a game-clinching second for Whites with 15 minutes left.

“It was really good,” reflected Leberl. “I was really pleased with everything.

“I thought the Dartford Bridge would be shut - but even that was all right - so everything went smoothly. If we had got that second in the first half, and we had a great opportunity to do that, that would have put us further ahead.

“Then, they had a little bit of a spell where you just start to get a bit nervy, although Mitch didn’t have a proper save to make as such. But it was relatively comfortable on Saturday, really, and everyone at the club is in good spirits.

“It’s just ‘Onto the next one’ for us.”

In-form Dover will have a hotly-awaited home match with fellow high-fliers Cray Valley on Saturday, having been due to visit Lewes tonight.

Looking ahead to those games this week, Leberl said: “Lewes are a very good footballing side. They have done very well this season.

“We’re going to have to be really on it against them because, if not, they’re the sort of team that could make it a really tough evening for us.

“Then, Saturday will be just as difficult - if not even more difficult!

“They’re a side that are used to winning and used to playing together, with a lot of experience, so they’ll be two tough games.”

But Leberl is remaining level-headed despite Whites already having opened up a lead at the summit.

He said: “We’ve not played everyone this season yet.

“We’ve not been through our tricky spell whereas some other clubs have. It’s just about how we handle that.”

Midfielder Alfie Matthews has also returned after he served a ban due to an accumulation of yellow cards as Whites saw off Bowers.

“He’s such a talented boy,” Leberl noted. “There’s more to come from him, as well.

“He needs to get fitter, but he has been brilliant, and he absolutely loves his football.

“He’s desperate to do well.”

Whites will host neighbours Deal in the Kent Senior Cup quarter-final on Tuesday.