Dover Athletic boss Mitch Brundle plots summer changes as battle to avoid National League South relegation set to go to the wire as they host Weymouth

Dover’s battle to avoid back-to-back relegations could go right to the wire – with summer changes on the cards, regardless of the outcome.

A five-match winless National League South streak, which has included four straight defeats, has left Whites just above the relegation zone, ahead of this Saturday’s season-ending home match against fellow strugglers Weymouth.

It’s been a poor run for Dover manager Mitch Brundle, who permanently replaced Andy Hessenthaler in January, and he intends to put his own stamp on things in the close season, even if they stay up.

He said: “I haven’t spoken to the players yet because, obviously, we don’t know where we are.

“Some players have had their cards marked by me, but I will not name names.

“It might come down to finances but it’s more about performances. Those who have performed throughout the season consistently will be offered the chance to stay.

“But regardless of if we stay up, there will be a lot of changes.

“I’m already speaking to people and we have A, B and C player targets.

“They’re not fully done but I have my targets.”

Dover’s latest loss saw them go down 3-0 at play-off chasing Farnborough last weekend.

“It was a disappointing result,” 28-year-old Brundle said.

“Sometimes, the occasion can get to our young squad. I think that’s something that happened.”

Experienced defenders Tyrone Sterling and Jake Goodman were back, only for the latter to come off injured.

A tactical decision to play Myles Judd on the left-side of defence and replace Alfie Paxman with on-loan Crystal Palace player David Boateng didn’t pay off, either.

Brundle said: “Gooders has pulled his hamstring. That was why he came off at half-time.

“But we just had to field whatever team we thought could get