Consistency is key for Dover coach Mike Sandmann.

Whites are 12th in National League South, heading into back-to-back clashes against Dulwich after an enforced 20-day break from competitive action.

Sandmann is predicting a tough Boxing Day game against Paul Barnes’ men.

“They changed their manager a couple of months back from Gavin Rose who had been there a long time,” Sandmann said.

“I’m sure he [Barnes] will have introduced a different style.

“We will watch them and prepare as best as we can. But it’s about us - us performing and us being consistent.

“When we’re at it as a group, we can beat nearly everyone in this league. But we need to be consistent, starting on Boxing Day.”

The sides will meet at Champion Hill on the returns of defender Tyrone Sterling and midfielder Jordan Higgs to their old stomping ground before a New Year’s Day return fixture at Crabble.

Sandmann said: “It’s the same for both sides.

“It gives both teams the opportunity to assess what they did well in the [first] game and what they need to improve on.

“But I remember doing our homework on Ebbsfleet and they then made seven changes.

“So it will just be about us performing on the day.”

Andy Hessenthaler’s side had been due to visit Tonbridge last Tuesday, although the derby was postponed due to snow still being on Angels’ new 3G pitch. The game was quickly rearranged for last Saturday but again was postponed.

Sandmann said: “Jay [Saunders, Tonbridge's boss] is a friend of mine, I was in contact with him through the week.

“It was very unlikely from the get go. It’s been a frustrating week with no games but that’s meant more time on the training pitch.

“We had a behind-closed-door friendly at the weekend against Faversham to get minutes into players’ legs.”

Striker Reece Grant has left Dover for league rivals Chelmsford.

Their postponed home fixtures against Taunton and Worthing have been re-scheduled for January 10 and January 31.

They'll now visit Tonbridge on Tuesday, January 24.