AFTER a surprise 2-1 defeat at Banstead on Tuesday evening Dover Athletic must get their Ryman League Division 1 title bid back on track against Fleet at Crabble on Saturday.

Another abject display in Surrey means that Whites are still seven points behind leaders Horsham, with four games in hand now. The biggest worry is that their form has been generally dismal for some time and shows little sign of improvement.

To keep matters in perspective, however, the Banstead setback was Whites’ first defeat in four games and they still have games in hand on the other top four sides. The pressure will now be on to brush aside mid-table Fleet on Saturday, but closer inspection of the Hampshire side’s record shows they will be hard to beat.

Fleet have actually lost fewer games than Whites, just three in 17. But eight draws means they were placed 10th after Tuesday’s 1-0 win at home to Dulwich Hamlet in front of only 85 spectators. Their most impressive result was a 1-0 win at home to current leaders Horsham.

Managed by former England midfielder Andy Sinton, Fleet boast one of the best defensive records in the division and were unbeaten until October 4.

Walker expects to field his strongest line up at Crabble since the notorious FA Trophy ties with Dartford in October, which left three key players with long-term injuries.

Dave Clifford will miss Saturday’s game with ankle ligament trouble. Lee Spiller received a nasty blow to the ribs at Banstead but is hoping to start. Carl Rook was missing again, this time with a virus, but should be fit for Saturday.

Midfielder Danny Chapman is now regaining match fitness after two games back in the side, although Walker says he will have to play with an ongoing knee problem until it heals of its own accord. Tommy Tyne is also fit again and played at Banstead, so there is plenty of competition for forward places.

In the same division Tonbridge Angels make the short trip down the A21 to take on Hastings United.

The Sussex side are currently in seventh place, but are without a manager, following the sacking of the former Welsh international Neville Southall last week.

Cray Wanderers will want to build on their two victories since their exit from the FA Trophy against Leatherhead at Hayes Lane.

And Ashford Town face a tough home clash against Kent rivals Ramsgate, although they willm take heart from their midweek performance against Cray, despite the 2-0 defeat.

Chatham Town return to Southern League Division 1 East action at Ilford, knowing three points will move them back among the promotion contenders.

Manager Steve Binks said: "It’s getting tight behind us but going away from home and getting a draw won’t be a bad result. Ilford are a defensive side and don’t normally have high-scoring games.

"If we keep to our passing game like we did against Welling rather than the long-ball we played against Arlesey then we will be more effective."

Binks will wait on the fitness of skipper Steve Best (shin), Rob Denness (calf) and Bryon Walker (calf), while Steve Searle should return for the first time since October from an ankle injury.

Sittingbourne travel to Wingate & Finchley with a number of injury doubts.

Centre-backs Danny Lawson and Paul Ainswoth both picked up groin injuries in the 3-1 win over Berkhamsted on Tuesday night.

They were replaced by Toby Ashmore and Tristan Knowles, who are in line to feature again if the pair don’t recover in time.

Left-back Joe Dowley could also be in line for a recall if he returns to full fitness, although Bradley Spice is a doubt after aggravating an ankle injury.

Meanwhile, Dartford entertain Enfield at Stonebridge Road.

Ahead of his side's Ryman League Premier Division clash at lowly Redbridge, Bromley manager George Wakeling has admitted that changes need to be made to the squad if the club are to progress.

A catalogue of injuries have highlighted the shortcomings of Wakeling’s squad, as the club look to avoid a potential embarrassing slip on Saturday.

Wakeling said: "We haven’t got enough depth overall or balance and shape. The players that will dig deep and go all the way to win the ball are the ones out injured.

"I want to go forward – and we will – we’ll have to let one or two players go and bring some in. Perhaps we’ve got too many of the same type of players."

In the same division Margate are hosting Leyton at Hartsdown Park. Folkestone Invicta play on Friday night at Wealdstone.