Ryan Valentine is close to agreeing a new 12-month deal at Darlington.

The 22-year-old defender is one of nine out-of-contract players yet to agree new terms at the Williamson Motors Stadium.

However, manager David Hodgson remains confident the former Everton trainee will commit his future to Quakers.

Valentine has made 130 appearances since joining Darlington in 2002 and Hodgson said: "Like everybody else, we've put forward a proposal to Ryan and we're awaiting his decision.

"I see him as a part of my plans and I'm hopeful that he will agree to remain."

Joey Hutchinson, Neil Wainwright, Jonjo Dickman and Matty Appleby are all mulling over new deals, while Hodgson has yet to hold talks with Craig Hignett and Alun Armstrong. Matt Clarke will have to lower his wage demands if he is to stay, while Sam Russell is yet to commit himself to the club for next season.

As well as resolving the futures of his current squad, Hodgson has already drawn up a list of targets. He wants to add six players to his squad before the start of the season and Jamaican winger Omar Daley could arrive in July, while the club have also embarked on scouting trips to Belgium and France.

Hodgson yesterday held talks with Rotherham's Gateshead-born defender Chris Swailes, Swindon wing-back David Duke and Oldham striker John Eyre. Duke and Ayre are both out of contract and would not command a fee, while Swailes still has another year to run at Millmoor.

Michael Price, Ian Clark, Mark Convery, Craig Russell, Keith Gilroy, Chris Hughes, Michael Coghlan and Bobby Petta are all looking for new clubs after being freed earlier this month.

Petta is due to hold further talks with Bradford City, while Clark and Hughes have been linked with moves to York City. Both Rushden and Kidderminster could revive their interest in Convery, while Irish side St Patrick's Athletic have been credited with an interest in Russell and former defender Curtis Fleming.

Ex-Darlington duo Dan Chillingworth and Tom Newey have been freed by relegated Cambridge United. However, ex-Quakers midfielder Ashley Nicholls still has a year to run and will stay.

* Viewing figures for the FA Cup final peaked at 13.7 million - the biggest audience for almost a decade.

The number of viewers tuning in to watch Arsenal's victory over Manchester United on BBC and Sky made it the biggest sporting peak audience this year.

It was also the the biggest match audience for the FA Cup final since Chelsea v Middlesbrough in 1997, and the highest peak quarter-hour audience since Manchester United v Liverpool in 1996.

Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick said: ''The viewing figures for Saturday's Cup final were tremendous. They graphically illustrate the unique and enduring appeal of the cup.

''They suggest very clearly that the FA Cup still has a central place in the hearts of football fans."

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