Stefan Payne is a major doubt ahead of Dover’s Vanarama National League trip to Grimsby on Saturday.

Boss Chris Kinnear has revealed the club’s top scorer has been suffering from a knee ligament injury and was due to have a scan on Friday.

Kinnear said: “It’s a medial problem which he has been carrying for a little while and been hoping to shake it off.”

The manager is also unsure whether skipper Jamie Grimes will return at Blundell Park, having been rested for the FA Trophy tie at Whitehawk last weekend.

Kinnear added: “He has been suffering from tendonitis in his groin for the last few weeks and had an injection earlier this week.

“We have to wait and see how it settles down and I’m not sure if he will be ready for the weekend.”

Meanwhile, midfielder Liam Bellamy is unlikely to return this side of New Year, still suffering from a knee tendon problem.

Grimsby were knocked out of the FA Cup, 1-0 at Shrewsbury in a second round replay on Tuesday night, and face another replay in the Trophy next week after being held to a 1-1 draw at home by National League North side Solihull Moors.

The Humbersiders have only lost twice in 12 games at home in the league this season and Kinnear believes they are destined to finish in the top-two at the end of the season, setting up this clash as a possible play-off dress rehearsal.

He said: “It’s a massive game but we are not going with fear.

“We did well when we went there early last season, drew 1-1, missing a late penalty (Christian Nanetti seeing his 90th-minute spot-kick saved).

“It’s a lovely pitch and stadium and a game for the lads to enjoy.”