Dover Athletic manager Mitch Brundle hopes bumper crowd gets behind his side as clash with promotion-chasing Havant & Waterlooville begins run of three straight matches at Crabble

Boss Mitch Brundle hopes a bumper crowd will come to watch Dover’s first of three successive home fixtures tonight.

Whites, who were 1-0 victors at Taunton on Saturday through midfielder Jordan Higgs’ strike, will aim to extend their unbeaten run to five National League South matches - but it certainly won’t be easy.

They’ll welcome fourth-placed Havant to Crabble, although the Hawks have lost two games in a row.

Brundle said: “We had a good away following at Taunton. We gave them something to cheer about.

“The more people we get in at home, the better it is for the players. The club needs the fans and we need the fans - but the players need to perform to get them.”

Ex-Crystal Palace winger Brandon Pierrick could be in line for his home debut while young midfielder Freddie Oliver - who impressed on his league bow at Taunton - will hope to retain his place, too.

“They will see the likes of Brandon and Freddie play so, hopefully, we can get a good crowd,” Brundle added.

“Having three home games in a row is brilliant for the football club.

“It’s great to have home games but we have a tough one and we have to utilise our squad to the best of our ability.”

On-loan Crystal Palace man David Boateng (groin) and midfielder George Wilkinson (knee) are still to miss the game, although wideman Luke Wanadio has now tested negative for Covid, having previously produced a positive result, and he’ll come back in contention.

Dover will host Bath this Saturday and are at home to Cheshunt next Tuesday.