Patience. That's the current buzzword at Dover Athletic as the club continue their search for new backers. Crabble officials had been hoping to reveal details regarding new investors early this week but instead the club issued a statement saying that they were “still not in a position to make a definite announcement as to the club’s future structure”.

The statement added: “This has been brought about through the interested investors having asked for more time to analyse additional new figures more closely. It was agreed, in the interests of Dover Athletic Football Club, that these requests be met.”

General manager Bill Williams, speaking on behalf of the four-man management committee currently running the club, said: “We must be patient. This is an absolutely crucial time in our negotiations and obviously it is difficult to put pressure on potential investors when there are so many aspects to be considered before a decision can be reached.

“Whites’ current cash-flow has been helped by having two home games in a row, but last Saturday’s 2-1 defeat by Nuneaton means that this weekend’s clash with fellow strugglers Chester is now a ‘must win’ affair. Dover will be without Matt Carruthers, who has severe bruising to an ankle. Meanwhile, defender Darren Carr is still troubled by the chest and breathing problems which have restricted him to one full appearance since signing for Dover last month.

Caretaker manager Clive Walker said: “Darren is being monitored at the moment, and we can’t risk playing him until the problem has been cleared up.”