Manager Jake Leberl admits Dover could have done without a match this Saturday - but understands why one has been rearranged.

Whites had been due to have a fixture-free weekend as scheduled opponents Chelmsford City remain in the FA Cup.

But their National League South match against Horsham at Crabble, originally due to be played on Tuesday, January 27, has been brought forward as Dover look to bounce back from last weekend’s 2-1 derby defeat at Tonbridge.

“Ideally, we wanted a break but football is a business,” said Leberl, who has influential forward Ruben Soares-Junior among his players nursing knocks.

“We haven’t had many games at home and we need the revenue to pay the wages. It’s as simple as that, really.

"We have got a squad so we’ll trust our squad.

“I’m sure Saturday will have hurt the boys, like it hurt us and it hurt the fans, with it being a Kent derby, and I’m sure we’ll get a reaction. We have just got to keep going.

Report: Tonbridge 2-1 Dover

Dover manager on derby defeat

“Yeah, games do come thick and fast. But that’s the same for everyone and we have only got a couple of injuries.

“We have no suspensions so we’re not doing too badly.”

Dover were promoted from Isthmian Premier last season through the play-offs, alongside weekend visitors Horsham, who won the league title.

Dominic di Paola’s Hornets sit clear of the relegation zone with 12 points from 10 games, drawing 1-1 at unbeaten Hornchurch last weekend.

Leberl said: “They were champions last year for a reason.

"They have kept the majority of their squad together. They have got a manager that has been there for 10 years and knows what he is doing.

"They have started well.

“It’ll be another tight affair but, hopefully, we’ll come out of that one on top.”

While defender Jalen Jones’ first-half goal at Tonbridge proved in vain for Whites, who have won just once in their last eight games, they remain much closer to the top than the bottom of the league.

“Of course, we’re happy,” Leberl reflected on the start to this campaign. “When you actually analyse how far we’ve come (it’s positive), it’s just disappointing, coming off Saturday’s result.

“I don’t mind losing - I’ve got no problem losing a game of football - but when we lose a game where the other team have out-fought us and out-run us, wanting it more than we did, that’s when I have a problem.

"That’s why I had a bit of a problem on Saturday evening.

“But on the whole, from the minute we walked in, to now say that we’re the top Kent side outside of Gillingham - I know it’s only early - but we are.

“To be where we are after being where we started, that’s a good achievement. We don’t want to be too down.

“We don’t want to be too disappointed but we do need to do a lot better.”

Whites’ front-line have been a potent force, with Nikaj and Soares-Junior already having six goals each. But they struggled to get going at Tonbridge.

Leberl admitted: “It wasn’t really their day.

“I thought, to be fair to Nikaj, he was our best player in the first half. He worked hard and he did more than all right.

“He was probably the bright spark of the front-line.

“Ruben has been absolutely brilliant for us. He’s carrying a few (knocks) at the minute.

“Maybe, he needs a little bit of time out.”

Dover will host Bromley in the Kent Senior Cup on Tuesday.

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