DAVID HODGSON insists Darlington have not yet seen the best of midfielder Adrian Webster and has challenged the New Zealand international to prove he is worthy of a regular starting place next season.

The out-of-contract 24-year-old is expected to put pen-to-paper on a new one-year deal at the Williamson Motors Stadium - just 12 months after overcoming a career-threatening knee injury.

Webster, brought to England by Charlton as a teenager, has been a huge success since joining Quakers at the beginning of the season.

However, Hodgson believes the hard-working midfielder has more to offer.

"Considering he missed all of the last pre-season, Adrian did very well to play the amount of games he did," said Hodgson. "Now he has the summer to build up his fitness and come back a stronger player next season.

"If he has the right attitude then he'll be looking to establish himself as a regular starter in the side."

Having failed to score in 26 appearances this season, Hodgson would like to see Webster make a better contribution towards their next promotion campaign.

"That side of Adrian's game has been disappointing," admitted Hodgson. "It's always important that goals come from other areas and not just our forwards.

"Next season I have told Adrian I want ten goals from him."

Webster recently received his first international call-up for New Zealand's forthcoming friendly with Australia at Fulham's Craven Cottage on June 9.

"It will be great for Adrian to be involved and I'm sure he will gain a lot from the experience," said Hodgson.

The Quakers' boss has spent this week scouring the transfer market and has admitted an interest in Jamaican international winger Omar Daley, recently freed by Preston.

Hodgson is also set to hold talks with Craig Hignett, who has put retirement plans on hold for another year.

* Darlington's home pre-season game with Middlesbrough has been brought forward a week to July 23 as the Teessiders are looking into the possibility of playing in the Asia Cup, which will feature several other British clubs.

* Cardiff manager Lennie Lawrence has confirmed he wants to sign Wrexham's prolific Spanish marksman Juan Ugarte.

However, it is expected he will face stiff competition from Leeds and Sheffield United to land Ugarte, who has been offered a new deal by Wrexham.

''We've an interest in Ugarte,'' said Lawrence.

''He's different to what we've already got at the club. He's 24, he's a goalscorer and, most importantly, he's free. I think there will be a lot of interest in him.''

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