Leyton v Dover Athletic

DOVER Athletic travel to sixth-placed Leyton on Saturday looking for their first back-to-back away victories in 16 months.

They have been boosted by the signing of 35-year-old Bradley Sandeman, after manager Clive Walker received a surprise call from the former Maidstone, Northampton and Port Vale player alerting him to the fact he had recently moved to Kent.

Walker said: "I have been after some experience in the side for a while and Bradley contacted me to say he was now living in Maidstone, and I know what a good player he was from my time with him at Northampton and Maidstone so we will have a look at him and see if he can do a job.

"He is a good deliverer of the ball and will add a bit of noise in the middle of the park, plus he knows the non-league game after a recent spell with Kidsgrove Athletic in the Unibond Premier League.

"So if his fitness is good I can see him coming in against Leyton to replace Tom Hickman, who is unfortunately suspended. Tom’s partnership with Anthony Hogg has made a difference to the side as they complement each other so well."

Leyton are an unknown quantity to Walker and were on the end of a last minute winner from Tonbridge on Saturday, but they won 2-1 at Heybridge on Tuesday and have been the division’s surprise package by competing at the top end of the table on the lowest average gate.

Leyton were unlucky not to pick up three points in the reverse fixture in November when only a late equaliser from Dean Palmer saved Whites from defeat.

The addition of Sandeman and the likely return to the starting line-up of Daniel Braithewaite in place of James Rogers are set to be the only changes, with Walker believing that Saturday’s goal hero Walid Matata is best used coming off the bench to frighten defenders with his pace and movement.

There is also better news regarding Craig Wilkins, who will have the first of several injections into his back to improve the circulation that has kept him out since December.

That will hopefully allow him to resume full training with a view to being involved from the bench against league leaders Yeading the following week.

Meanwhile, Walker is hoping to sign former Gravesend and Heybridge keeper Darren Smith as cover for Paul Hyde.