DARLINGTON manager David Hodgson will hold further talks with Mansfield Town striker Colin Larkin today after abandoning his interest in Swansea's Paul Connor.

Hodgson has chosen not to pursue Connor any further after learning the Bishop Auckland-born player still has another year to run on his Swansea contract and would command a fee.

And, with several other targets in mind, Hodgson is reluctant to drain the club's already restricted resources on one player.

"I was under the impression that Connor had been freed by Swansea, but that wasn't the case," said Hodgson.

Hodgson will now step up his pursuit of Larkin after holding talks with the Irishman in Sheffield earlier this week.

Chester City, Leyton Orient, Northampton Town and Peterborough United have all expressed an interest in the 23-year-old, who has been told he can leave Mansfield after a fall-out with manager Carlton Palmer.

Released Shrewsbury Town winger Sam Aiston will join Quakers next month, subject to a medical.

Midfielder Adrian Webster made his international debut for New Zealand last night, but although he put in a spirited performance he could not prevent his side going down 1-0 to Australia.

Substitute Simon Colosimo hit the game's only goal in the 85th minute at Fulham's Craven Cottage with a well-placed 18-yard strike.

However, they will require a vast improvement when they face hosts Germany in next Wednesday's Confederations Cup opener, before further tests against Argentina and Tunisia.

Indeed, Frank Farina's men were pushed all the way by a spirited Kiwi side missing a clutch of first-team regulars - including captain and Blackburn defender Ryan Nelsen - and playing under coach Ricki Herbert for the first time.

The encounter was New Zealand's first match for over a year, but there was little evidence of a huge gulf in class between the two sides despite Herbert fielding a team of virtual unknowns.

By contrast, Farina included a number of Premiership players in his starting line-up, including Tim Cahill, Mark Schwarzer, Brett Emerton and Lucas Neill.

With Australia unable to assert any authority early on the All Whites began to grow in confidence and defender Che Bunce headed past the post from a free-kick by Webster.

They should have claimed the lead midway through the opening period when the impressive Webster and Doncaster defender David Mulligan combined to put Brent Fisher through on goal.

However, with only Middlesbrough goalkeeper Schwarzer to beat, the All Whites striker dragged a left foot shot wide.

They were made to pay when Colosimo scored at the death.

* Quakers have confirmed the dates of eight pre-season friendlies next month. A select XI will travel to Harrogate Town (July 14, 7.45pm), Blyth Spartans (July 15, 7.15pm), Barrow (July 16, 3pm), Seaham Red Star (July 19, 7.30pm) and Bishop Auckland (July 23, 3pm) Quakers will play host to Leeds United (July 20, 7.30pm), Middlesbrough (July 23, 3pm) and Bradford City (July 26, 7.30pm).

Prices for the home games will be £10 adults and £5 concessions.

Read more about the Quakers here.