Manager Jake Leberl has a unique decision to make around Dover defender Joe Tennent’s short-term future this week.

Tennent, a signing from Whitehawk last summer, rejoined his old club on a short-term loan last month.

That initial deal has now expired, which means Tennent could return for Whites on Saturday - and, ironically, take on Whitehawk at Crabble.

On Tennent, who partnered Luca Cocoracchio at the start of the season until an injury allowed Jacob Mensah to take his place, Leberl said: “Joe’s loan has finished so we have got a decision to make there where we can bring him back.

“We’ve had him watched a few times and he has done very well from all accounts. Hopefully, he comes back and scores the winner - stranger things have happened!

“He did very well for us at the start of the season. He was then unfortunate to pick up an injury around the time Jacob came back, and Jacob and Luca have done well.

"It’s a difficult decision.”

Tennent wasn’t involved in Whitehawk’s squad as they drew 2-2 at home against relegation rivals Hendon on Tuesday.

Youngsters Matty Holness and Henry Young, at Lordswood and Hythe respectively, remain on loan deals away from Dover while teenage midfielder Kieron Agbebi has returned to fitness.

Leberl revealed: “They’re all on a 24-hour call-back.

“I think it’s the best decision for them rather than them sitting around and not playing.

“Kieron is fit again now, as well, so that’s another positive.”

Dover’s recent slump in form continued with Saturday’s 2-1 Isthmian Premier loss at Wingate & Finchley.

That was just a second away defeat all season for Whites, midfielder Alfie Matthews sent off for a second bookable offence.

“It was very difficult with 10 men,” reflected Leberl. “We started the game really well, had some chances and George Nikaj had one cleared off the line.

“Then, they grew into it and looked more likely to score, which they did. That followed the theme of the three sloppy goals for us from the previous weekend.

"The sending-off then happened after half-time.

“To be fair, that galvanised us a little bit and Luke Baptiste got a good equaliser. But, obviously, they have scored from a corner - an own goal [from Roman Charles-Cook] - which was another sloppy goal.”

While Leberl accepted Matthews’ fierceness was part of his game, he was disappointed at the black mark on their disciplinary record.

He said: “It is to a certain degree, but the disciplinary record is something I pride my teams on.

“That’s because I know how important it is to have 11 players on the pitch and how important it is to not have players suspended.

"Would we have lost with 11 men on the pitch? I didn’t think so.

"I’m not saying we would have won, but we did all right considering with 10 men.”

Fourth-placed Dover’s latest loss came despite a second-half effort from 16-goal attacking midfielder Luke Baptiste in the second half.

“Baps has chipped in all season,” noted Leberl. “That’s four in a row for him and he’s missed a penalty in that period.

“Fair play because he’s one of the players really giving his all. But we’re letting in sloppy goals, which we haven’t done all season.

“We just really need to stick together. Obviously, a bit of negativity has crept in on the social media side - which it does - but we’re still in the hunt for the title, let alone a play-off place.

“We just need to be sensible and give our all for the last 12 games of the season.”

While Whitehawk only sit narrowly ahead of the drop zone in 18th, they have improved under returning boss Shaun Saunders despite picking up a single point from their last three league fixtures.

Leberl said: “Saunders, who was their manager last year, has steadied the ship a little.

“They have picked up a few reasonable results of late. It’s not going to be easy.”

Dover will visit National League South Welling in the Kent Senior Cup semi-final on Tuesday.