Manager Mitch Brundle has warned some of Dover’s players they won’t be at the club next season - and he thinks it’ll be difficult for them to find new clubs unless they quickly buck up their ideas.

Whites suffered a third successive defeat, losing 3-0 at home to Hampton on Saturday.

A recent six-game unbeaten streak appeared to have ended any fears of a second straight relegation.

But Dover are now 16th in National League South, seven points clear of the drop zone with eight games left after what Brundle described as a “gutless” display.

Brundle conceded they are still not safe yet, ahead of this Saturday’s trip to eighth-placed St Albans.

He said: “St Albans are going well but we seem to perform against these teams, which is strange.

“We play against good teams and we seem to perform. But when we play against teams in the relegation battle, fighting for their lives, we don’t seem to turn up.

• Report: Dover 0-3 Hampton

• "It was a gutless performance"

"I can’t put my finger on what it is.

“All of the results went our way on Saturday so we’re still seven points clear and we haven’t moved anywhere but it’s still a dogfight.

“You can lose another three on the bounce - like we just have - and be dragged straight back into it.

“My end talk to them is some of them won’t play [for Dover next season], some of them will be finding new clubs and they won’t do it if they’re not playing and if they don’t show fight and hunger.

"That’s one thing I just won’t accept.”

Dover badly missed the experience of suspended midfield duo Jordan Higgs and Lee Martin against Hampton after they both collected their 10th bookings of the season in the 3-1 loss at Chippenham.

“They’ll be out for the weekend as well,” Brundle confirmed.

“It’s not ideal but it should be a chance for someone else to take their shirt and not let them back in but they didn’t do that on Saturday.”

Asked if he would seriously consider playing himself to add more experience and bite to Whites’ midfield again, 28-year-old Brundle replied: “Maybe but am I the answer to it all? No.

“I’m not going to go and score 15 goals because I’m not going to play up top.”

There were few positives to take from the Hampton defeat, although versatile on-loan Crystal Palace defender David Boateng returned from injury off the bench, as did forward Josh Ajayi, while young striker Noah Carney did show some bright sparks.

Those substitutions saw Whites play Brandon Pierrick and Ajayi in forward roles after George Nikaj had been their lone striker in the first half and was left isolated for large spells.

Brundle said: “The change of shape worked.

“Boateng could probably only do 45 minutes. That’s why he didn’t start the game, otherwise he would have done.

“I think we’re creative in that shape but we’ll see what knocks we have got for the weekend and what sort of team we can play.”

Dover, who have scored just six goals in 12 league games, since Brundle took permanent charge, drew 1-1 with St Albans at Crabble in early December in a match which had three penalties.