WITH their cup interest for the season finally extinguished, Dover Athletic must now regroup in preparation for their demanding league run-in.

Clive Walker’s side are facing 16 matches in the final two months of the season, starting at Hastings United on Saturday, and they need to quickly rediscover their form and spirit after defeats in the last two games.

Assistant manager Paul Hyde believes that Whites’ heavy programme this season has started to take its toll and helped to explain the poor performances against Forest Green Rovers and Moor Green.

Hyde stressed: “We looked jaded in those matches, but you have got to remember that we have got a lot of young players in the side who are not used to playing such a high number of pressure matches."

With Whites now 22 points behind leaders Tamworth, winning the title is an unlikely prospect even though Dover have five matches in hand.

Walker has the luxury of picking from a near-full squad this Saturday, before suspensions begin to ‘kick in’ again for a number of players. He said: “It’s important for us to get another run going.”