CLIVE WALKER will be looking to celebrate being confirmed as Dover manager for next season by winning two crucial relegation battles in three days this weekend.

The club has announced that Walker had signed an upgrade to his present contract until the end of the 2002-03 season, offcially making him team manager.

Dover remain bottom of the Conference table despite a run of seven points out of nine, including Monday’s excellent 3-1 win at Stevenage - testimony to the ferocity of this year's relegation struggle. The projected target of 47 points now looks unlikely to be enough, but several of the sides involved still have to play each other, including Hayes and Stalybridge this Saturday.

Wins for Dover in their two home games against Leigh RMI on Saturday and Woking on Monday would give Whites a fighting chance of avoiding the drop. Noisy vocal backing from Whites' fans, who have grown in number and volume through the hardships of this season, could prove crucial.

Woking normally take several hundred fans with them and a win over Leigh could prompt another big crowd at Crabble on Monday night.

Walker will be praying that two key players who both departed the action at Stevenage with back injuries will be fit for battle. Leon Kelly and Neil Le Bihan will undergo fitness tests before the Leigh game.

Jimmy Strouts' return after suspension eases Walker's selection worries, but he will definitely be without another midfielder in Jamie Day, who is banned for both games.

Walker will no longer be able to call on Chris Allen after the enigmatic winger was transferred to Ryman League, Premier Division, high-fliers Aldershot in a free transfer on deadline day.