DAVID HODGSON is confident Joey Hutchinson will commit his future to Darlington, but has warned the defender must prove his fitness before earning an improved deal.

Hutchinson is reportedly unhappy with the terms of the 12-month contract on offer, despite missing eight months of the season with cruciate knee ligament damage.

The 23-year-old recently returned to training, although Hodgson is reluctant to negotiate until he is satisfied with Hutchinson's physical condition.

"Joey wants a better deal, but we can't really do anything until he's 100 per-cent fit," said the manager. "I've told him he needs to get back to a good level of fitness and we will take it from there.

"He's a fantastic defender and I'm hopeful that we can eventually come to some agreement."

Hodgson, who arrived in Belgium yesterday to run the rule over potential signings, will seek further talks with goalkeeper Sam Russell after revealing interest from an unnamed club.

Player-of-the-season Russell is mulling over a new deal, although Hodgson fears he could move on improved terms.

"We have to accept that Sam is going to attract interest and that there will be other clubs who can offer him more," said Hodgson.

Player-coach Neil Maddison, Akpo Sodje, Adolfo Gregorio, Adrian Webster and David McGurk have penned new one-year deals.

Midfielder Clark Keltie is undergoing treatment on a cruciate knee ligament and is due to return at the beginning of next season. He has been told by Hodgson that he has until Christmas to earn an extended deal.

Clarke has held talks with Charleroi, although the Belgian side are unlikely to follow up their interest in the defender, who has rejected a one-year contract with Quakers and could move on.

Curtis Fleming and Craig Russell have been linked with moves to Irish Premier League side, St Patrick's Athletic.

Fleming was in Ireland to watch his former club on Friday and Athletic boss John McDonnell revealed: "I've put a proposal to him and he is considering it. He is still hugely popular at St Pats and I think he'd be a great addition."

However, Hodgson admitted Fleming could yet have a future with Quakers.

Read more about the Quakers here.