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Dover Athletic manager Andy Hessenthaler fears injured young loan goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer could be out for the rest of their season.
Maynard-Brewer, who joined Whites on loan from the Championship club in January, is expected to be out for eight to 10 weeks after hurting his ankle in training with Dover and has now returned to his parent club for treatment.
“That was sad news for us really,” said Hessenthaler.
"It was just a freak accident in training where he has just hurt his ankle.
"He is out for eight to 10 weeks and we have sent him back (to Charlton) for treatment."
Dover’s boss did say, though, that the 20-year-old Australian could still feature for eighth-placed Whites who are chasing promotion from the National League this term if he recovers from the injury quicker than expected.
Hessenthaler said: “Yeah, why not?
“We have Lee Worgan who is a good goalkeeper.
“We still have Yusuf (Mersin) here (although he was placed on the transfer-list last month) and I have spoken to him.
“But if he is fit and Charlton are happy with it, why not?
“You can never say never in football.”
Dover are also sweating on the fitness of midfielder Michael Woods who picked up a knee injury during their 3-0 loss at Solihull Moors on Saturday and was due to have tests to establish the severity of the problem on Monday.
Hessenthaler explained: “He (Woods) got through the game alright on Saturday but he woke up on Sunday sore and swollen, so we will see what the news is with that one soon.
“At this stage of the season with our run-in, we want everybody available.
“We want to get a bit of momentum.
"So, it [Dover’s recent injury problems] have been frustrating.”
But in more positive news, skipper Kevin Lokko is likely to return for Whites’ home game against fellow promotion hopefuls Yeovil this weekend after undergoing a concussion protocol.
Fellow defender Josh Passley (thigh), midfielder Oscar Gobern and Dominic Poleon (hamstring) could also be fit enough to feature.
Whites, now back outside the play-off places, have won four out of their last five home games, ahead of their encounter against Darren Sarll’s side this Saturday and will aim to continue their recent good form at Crabble.
Last weekend, the Glovers ended a six-match winless run in all competitions with a 3-0 home win over Wrexham.
When they met at Huish Park in November, Dover claimed a 1-0 victory, with Scott Doe scoring the only goal.
“They are a good side and a massive club,” Hessenthaler admitted.
“We have games against two ex-Football League clubs, Yeovil and Chesterfield, coming up at home.
"They are massive clubs in terms of infrastructure and stature.
“They (Yeovil) had been on a sticky run but they won 3-0 against Wrexham on Saturday. That makes it even harder for us.
"But we are in good form at home, so it should be a good game and there should be a good atmosphere for it, as well."
Hessenthaler also spoke about the departure of defender Doe who left Dover last week and signed for Isthmian North big-spenders Romford.
He said: “It (the move) fitted both parties, so we thank Scott and wish him well.”
