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Perry's Crabble Stadium

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Saturday's Blue Square South Preview

Dover Athletic will have the chance to leapfrog Newport County into pole position on Saturday, while high-flying Thurrock face a trip to eighth-placed Bromley.

Basingstoke Town will be looking to break into the play-off zone when St Albans City make the trip to The Camrose Ground.

The Dragons have signed Nigerian striker Benedict Akwuegbu on non-contract terms, while attacking player Grant Powell has been promoted to the first team.

Both players should be available for Saturday afternoon's clash.

The Saints, meanwhile, have also boosted their squad ahead of the weekend's clash.

Left-back Conner Baker, central midfielder Danny Johnson and striker Lamine Sagna have signed for the club this week and should all be in contention.

Chelmsford City Head Coach Glenn Pennyfather claims to be "tearing his hair out" after another member of his squad suffered an injury during training in the build-up to this Saturday's important home fixture against mid-table outfit Maidenhead United.

Striker Rob Edmans is certain to miss the game after straining his hamstring on Thursday night and he joins fellow striker Antonio Murray on the sidelines for the weekend's game who is suffering with a calf injury sustained in the pre-match warm-up before last week's draw with Havant & Waterlooville.

Cursing his side's bout of terrible luck, Glenn claimed: "You think you're getting everyone back and fit then something else comes-up! It's really frustrating but we just have to hope everyone else is available."

Also missing for the visit of Drax Hippolyte's Berkshire side are the more predictable figures of Ben Martin and Dave Rainford. "Ben has trained recently but needs some match practice before we can consider bringing him in," Pennyfather added, "while Rains is coming along nicely though we'll have to play without him this week to put him in contention for Monday night at Worcester, and definitely next Saturday."

Simon Glover begins a three-match suspension for his dismissal against Stevenage Borough, although he is also nursing a groin strain. Focusing back on this weekend's challenge, Glenn explained: "We're confident, as we are whenever we approach a match properly. Maidenhead have some decent players they've brought in from Hayes & Yeading and Hampton & Richmond but we've done our usual homework on them."

Maidenhead's season started brightly as they looked to improve on last season's exertions which saw them narrowly miss out on a play-off place behind City in sixth place. Their form of late has been below par, losing 4-0 at Hampton on Halloween, but they only have to look back to a recent 3-0 triumph at much-fancied Eastleigh to draw positive energy from. In addition, Will Hendry and Kieron Knight comprise part of a fearsome attacking presence which will test even the recently resilient City rearguard.

Part of that tight defence has been stalwart centre-half Steve Ward and he believes the enhanced mettle in the camp sets them apart from the stuttering equivalent towards the end of last season.

He revealed: "We kept winning loads last year but sometimes left the pitch disappointed with our performance and there wasn't quite that buzz. We've got the fight and the fire this season and a better spirit although we have to accept we're only the ninth best team in the division at the moment. Glenn hasn't had his best side to select from so far but you could say we've not seen the best of some of our players, yet!"

Saturday's meeting of the league's top two teams should provide loads of entertainment.

League leaders Newport County boast the meanest defence in the league, having conceded the least amount of goals, while second-placed Dover Athletic have scored more goals than any other team in the division.

Dover boss Andy Hessenthaler will have to make do without the services of Olly Schulz, who is nursing a hip injury. Midfielder Jon Wallis is not expected to shrug off a hamstring problem in time to play.

Hessenthaler told Kentish Football: "It is a big game. They're obviously going really well at the top of the league, we're second and we've had a good start to the season and it all bodes well to be a really good football match.

"They're a good footballing side and so are we so hopefully it will be a really entertaining game. It should be a good crowd and we need to get our home form back on track as we've had a bit of a rough time at home over the last week or so.

"We've had them watched and they do like to play the ball on the floor, like we do, so it should be an entertaining game."

Meanwhile, Newport boss Dean Holdsworth will be hoping for an early birthday present when he takes his squad to Perry's Crabble stadium.

The Exiles boss has the luxury of a fully-fit squad to choose from.

He told the South Wales Argus: "I think the fans and you the media are talking this game up a bit too much.

"It's a big game because it's our next game but it's no more important than last week or next week.

"It's only three points up for grabs and nothing will be won or lost in November.

"We are going there to win but I don't want to blow it out of all proportion,"

Saturday's Blue Square South Fixtures:

Basingstoke v St Albans, 15:00

Chelmsford v Maidenhead Utd, 15:00

Dover v Newport County, 15:00

Havant and W v Dorchester, 15:00

Lewes v Hampton & Richmond, 15:00

Weston-S-Mare v Thurrock, 15:00

Worcester v Welling, 15:00