Manager Mitch Brundle believes Dover’s derby trip to Tonbridge tonight will almost be like a cup clash.

Whites head to Longmead (kick-off 7.45pm), aiming to build on the four points they’ve collected from their first two National League South fixtures.

Jay Saunders’ Tonbridge side, who finished ninth last term, four points outside the play-offs, have suffered successive 1-0 losses. But Brundle doesn’t want to see his new-look squad underestimating Angels.

He said: “It’s a very tough fixture. It’s a Kent derby. Form doesn’t matter, positions in the league don’t matter.

“It’s sort of like a cup game. They’re a good team. They’ve recruited well.

“They haven’t had the best of starts but, if you look at the performances, they only lost by a goal at Worthing - and that would have been a great point - and they lost narrowly again on Saturday [to Weston-super-Mare]. But hopefully, we can kick on.”

Midfielder Josh Anifowose, who pulled out in the warm-up ahead of Whites’ 2-1 weekend win at Slough, and frontman Zidan Sutherland are due to be assessed.

The latter came off with a knock but his second club goal and substitute Luke Baptiste’s late winner earned Dover the points in Berkshire.

Tonbridge midfielder Jordan Higgs could face the club he left during the summer.