Dover are hoping to welcome some of their injured troops back soon.

Defender Tyrone Sterling was added to an injury list which has included 40-year-old keeper Stuart Nelson, George Wilkinson and striker Reece Grant in recent weeks for Saturday’s 4-2 defeat at Havant.

Ex-Gillingham keeper Nelson, who was named on the bench at the weekend, was due to play in a friendly against Bromley yesterday (Tuesday) before Dover manager Andy Hessenthaler made a decision on whether to recall him or stick with on-loan Millwall stopper Ryan Sandford, who has two matches left on his initial one-month loan.

“That’s the best thing about training three mornings a week,” said Hessenthaler.

“If he comes through the Bromley match, he will be in contention for the weekend.

“Ryan has got two more games but I will see what Nels is like and we will go from there.”

Sterling missed the defeat at Havant, with Jake Goodman coming in for his first start this season, but Sterling's injury is not thought to be a serious one.

Hessenthaler said: “He has a slight hamstring problem that we could not risk unfortunately.

“It’s certainly not a bad one. Talking to him, he was about 80% fit but, at this stage of the season, I decided not to take that risk.

“I would say he has got a chance for the weekend.”

Midfielder Wilkinson and Grant also are closing in on a return to fitness.

“Hopefully we will get a few back and hopefully we don’t pick up any injuries on Saturday,” said Hessenthaler, whose team welcome Hemel Hempstead to Crabble this weekend before travelling to Ebbsfleet on Bank Holiday Monday.

“We have got two games over a short period of time so we’ll need everyone available.”

The Havant defeat was the second straight loss for Dover, who went down 2-1 at home to Tonbridge last Tuesday despite a stunning goal from midfielder Jordan Higgs. Hessenthaler wants his troops to respond.

“We have got to bounce back, there’s a bit more pressure on us on Saturday,” he said.

“We are in front of our fans who were excellent for the Tonbridge game and the win against Hungerford.

“Then there’s a quick turnaround and recovery for the game against Ebbsfleet, another of the favourites to go up. They have a good squad and can rotate.

“I believe they rotated six players on Saturday, that shows the depth of the squad they have, and I’m sure they’ll do the same on Monday.”

Teenage striker Noah Carney scored his first senior Dover goal as they were beaten by Havant.

Hessenthaler enthused: “I’m pleased for Noah to be fair. He was positive in what he did, he was unlucky not to score before that.

“That can only help his confidence, he’s still only 18.”

Fellow frontman Alfie Pavey also scored - his second goal this season - but it wasn’t enough for Whites.

“That’s probably the worst we have played out of the first four games,” Hessenthaler reflected.

“But you have to give them credit, I thought we played against a very good side.

“They have a very good squad there.

“You only have to look at their bench and the players injured so you can see why they’re tipped to have a good season.”