Jake Leberl is optimistic Dover’s latest community day will be a success this Saturday.

The promotion-chasing Isthmian Premier Whites will mark the occasion when they host Hashtag United.

Dover’s community, engagement and inclusion officer Vikki Pawley has offered 1,000 free tickets to the game, initially to schools in the area, before potentially also handing them to other local groups.

The children who do attend will be offered goody bags while face-painting will also be available at Crabble as Whites aim to inspire the next generation.

“It’s massive,” said boss Leberl. “I majorly believe in it.

“The frustration is - for the next home fixture [after the community day] - it doesn’t always make a major difference. That’s maybe why the chairman [Jim Parmenter] is a little bit hesitant.

“But we have got Vikki working full-time in the community. Other clubs in the area have had success with this sort of thing and we’re a little bit behind.

“We need to give young fans the chance to fall in love with the club, like we did when we were that sort of age.”

Helping establish a bond between the first-team squad and the fans are several home-grown players, including fit-again teenager Henry Young.

He could help fill a void in midfield, with recently-signed Kieran Monlouis deciding to step away from the game after being dealt a setback on his recovery from a long-term injury.

Leberl noted: “Henry’s been training very hard.

“The Academy boys have been absolutely amazing. Their work-rates and attitudes have been brilliant. Henry fits into that category.

“If and when he’s needed, hopefully, he can take his chance. But we have Luke Baptiste who can play in centre midfield and out wide, as well.”

Goals from striker George Nikaj - his 11th of the season in 12 matches - and midfielder Luke Baptiste led Dover to a 2-0 victory at Whitehawk last weekend.

Leberl reflected: “It’s probably the first time in a long time where we have put in a complete 90-minute performance.

“I stressed to the team beforehand that not many teams get results there. We lost the toss, as well, which was a concern.

“But it was level at half-time and we got stronger as the game went on.”

It was a particularly memorable win for Whites keeper and captain Mitch Walker, Joe Tennent and centre-back partner Luca Cocoracchio - the trio returning to the club they played at last term to keep a third straight clean sheet.

“All three of them were brilliant,” enthused Leberl. “They’re starting to form a really strong partnership.

“Like I said recently, although we have conceded more goals than I would have liked at this stage of the season, they’ve not really been sloppy ones. They have more been from ricochets and good bits of play from the other team.”

Midfielder Jayden Silcott-Brown has joined Whitstable on a one-month loan and made his debut for the Oystermen in Friday night’s 1-0 away Kent Senior Trophy victory over Canterbury City.

“Jayden has been unlucky,” explained Leberl. “He’s probably the only lad that hasn’t really had an opportunity.

“The other lads are just performing so well so he hasn’t had that opportunity. This felt like the right opportunity for him.

“He can get some games, hopefully score goals and play with a smile on his face.”

Whites were also due to speak to Whitstable and Deal, with the loan stints for forward Archie Hatcher and defender Matty Holness set to expire this week.

Academy midfielder Tristan Holden has been in under-19s Euro qualifying action for Gibraltar, starting in a 4-0 defeat to hosts Poland last Saturday and Tuesday's 2-1 loss to Malta.