There’s a critical period ahead for Dover in their battle to avoid relegation.

Second-bottom Whites still only have one National League South win this season and are without a home league victory in more than nine months.

But they visit basement boys Havant & Waterlooville, six points behind them, this Saturday before a trip to fourth-bottom Truro on December 9.

Manager Mitch Brundle said: “We know we’re going to have to win games but we’re going through a sticky spell.

“Hopefully, bringing in Jake (Leberl, his newly-reappointed assistant) can help turn our fortunes around.

“This was his first game back (against Weston) and, now, we have a full week ahead before a massive game against Havant.

“I don’t look at the table but, personally, I don’t like going home after either draws or losses at the moment.

Boss Brundle on new Whites assistant Leberl

Report: Dover Athletic 0-1 Weston-super-Mare

Brundle: First-half performance wasn’t good enough

“If we start turning some of those results around and we start being more clinical in the final third, things can change.

“There’s no point in having our heads down and being all doom and gloom. There’s a good team in there. We just need to start getting it right.

“We still have the most number of draws in the league (nine). If we had turned them into wins, we’d be in a different place.”

Defender Sinn’Kaye Christie could be available for their trip to Havant - provided he recovers from a hamstring injury.

Christie spent most of November with Whites on a dual-registration agreement from Ramsgate but may be needed in Rams’ squad for Monday’s FA Cup Second-Round clash at AFC Wimbledon with some players cup-tied.

Asked if he would need to check with Rams to see if Christie will be available for Whites in Hampshire, Brundle replied: “No, we don’t need to.

“I get on with their manager really well. There are reasons behind why he has come in on dual registration and they’ll stay within the clubs.

“But if he’s fit, then he will be available.”

Midfielder Iffy Allen is also a doubt to face Havant.