Barrow AFC manager Ian Evatt ensured his side made the most of their time in the town last weekend, even though their match against Dagenham & Redbridge fell victim to Storm Dennis.

In an effort to make sure the Bluebirds were as well prepared as possible for tonight's game against Dover Athletic, Evatt put on a tougher training session at Furness College last Friday after finding out the pitch at Holker Street was unplayable.

The players took to the gym at Nuffield Health, on Hollywood Park, on Saturday and with the surface now recovered from last week's deluge AFC are well set in their efforts to get back to winning ways against the Whites, who beat them in the reverse fixture two weeks ago.

Barrow could extend their lead at the top of the National League with a victory, as second-placed Harrogate Town, who are currently four points behind, face a tricky game at in-form Barnet.

Evatt said: "We obviously had a bit more of a heavier session on Friday - the players were already on the way up when the rain hit and they had to call the game off, so we made the most of them being up here.

"We had a good session in the afternoon and on Saturday before carrying on at Hopwood on Monday, ready for Tuesday."

One frustration for Evatt last week was that the players didn't get the chance to transfer the sharpness he had seen from them in training on to the pitch, where they are looking to get back to winning ways.

Like the Bluebirds, Dover went without a game last weekend, as the stormy weather led to their match at Eastleigh being called off and not only will they make the 367-mile journey Barrow feeling fresh, but also with the best away record in the division.

Evatt said: "The lads had looked so sharp all week in training - their intensity and level of quality has been there, while we've obviously had a couple of new additions [Dan Jones and Jamie Soule] who have added quality to us.

"They have probably made a couple of people sit up and take notice and get back on their toes again, so training has been great and we're raring to go for Tuesday."

AFC have the luxury of virtually a fully-fit squad for the match against the Whites, with Jones available to make his second debut, after rejoining on loan from Salford, and Soule pressing for a place in the side after his arrival on a one-month deal from West Brom.

"Everyone is fit, ready and available," Evatt said. "Hopefully, they'll be able to get the game on on Tuesday and perform as best we can."