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More on KentOnline
Boss Andy Hessenthaler admits Myles Judd’s return could be a timely boost for Dover.
The right-back has completed a three-match ban after his red card at Stockport last month.
He could return to the starting line-up this Saturday when Whites visit Barnet in the National League, while midfielder Marshall Wratten is also back with the club after his loan at Isthmian South East Faversham ended.
“We picked up a few injuries at the weekend that could be a problem,” revealed Hessenthaler, with midfielder Henry Woods (hamstring) and Arjanit Krasniqi (hamstring) due to be assessed while captain Ryan Hanson is facing up to three weeks on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on Monday night.
“But we have got Myles Judd back from suspension against his old club - he was on loan at Barnet (last season) - so that’s good news.”
Dover lost 3-1 to Grimsby last Saturday but, having been hammered 6-0 at Blundell Park in October, Hessenthaler did at least think his team made a better fist of it this time around.
He said: “You only have to listen to their manager’s interview after the game (to know that).
“We missed some gilt-edged chances, it was never a 3-1 game.
“It was certainly a lot harder for them than it was up there. We are a better team since then.
“I feel for the players but they also know my frustrations. We talk about the gifted goals we keep giving teams but we aren’t getting those ourselves.
“I cannot just complain defensively because we have to take our chances at the other end as well.
“It was another game where we were right in the game. It was a good performance but there were opportunities we missed and then some goals we gifted to them.”
Centre-back Jake Goodman scored Dover’s goal, his second in three games, having also helped his team to a clean sheet last Tuesday in a goalless draw at Aldershot.
Hessenthaler said: “He will be disappointed with the (first) goal we have given away but he has been one of our most consistent players.
“He is contributing a few goals as well from our set-plays and he is getting fitter, which is pleasing.”
Ex-West Ham forward Djair Parfitt-Williams made his home debut against the Mariners, having made his first Whites appearance at Aldershot.
“DJ has done okay. It’s been difficult for him,” Hessenthaler accepted.
“On Saturday, he was about to come on at 2-1 and, unfortunately, we conceded on the counter-attack to make it 3-1 straight away.
“He needs to try and get a start for us to have a proper look at him.”
Barnet are one of manager Hessenthaler’s former clubs from his playing days.
The Bees are 19th, only 10 points clear of the drop, and they have not won in their last five matches.
“They are a great club, they are a big club in this league,” Hessenthaler said.
“Unfortunately, they have fallen on tough times. They’re finding it tough to compete financially.
“It’s not an easy place to go but we see it as an opportunity to make it difficult for them, like we did for Stockport (when Whites lost 1-0 to the leaders to a late goal).
“We are a hard team to play against away from home.
“They have been up and down with their results. We have got to be confident and try to win the game.”
Whites visit holders Dartford in the second round of the Kent Senior Cup on Tuesday.
