Hartlepool United manager Craig Hignett assesses the threats Dover Athletic pose ahead of National League clash

United go into the match two games without a win following defeat at Dagenham & Redbridge last weekend and a draw against leaders Woking last time out at Victoria Park.

A win against Dover would take Hignett’s side above them in the table and potentially into the play-off places with just over quarter of the season played.

“I think it’s going to be like that all season because there’s nothing in the league,” Hignett said about a potential rise up the table.

“Two wins can see you jump six places and we’ve got a good chance to do that with two home games coming up, we want to get last Saturday out of our system and it’s a good chance for us to do that this weekend.”

When assessing Dover’s side, Hignett picked out two former United players as potential threats.

“We know Woodsy [Michael Woods] and Jack Munns are creative type players, although Woodsy has been sitting,” he added.

“They’ve got decent wide men, they lost Alfie Pavey to Barnet who was a real threat and scored against us last year but they’ve still got [Inih] Effiong who is a big threat and a powerful lad who can be a real handful on his day.

“They’ve got what this league’s got, a bit of height, a bit of power and a bit of pace and they’ll work hard just like all teams will.”