DARLINGTON manager David Hodgson says Clark Keltie will be given "all the time he needs" to resume his career at the Williamson Motors Stadium when he recovers from a serious knee injury.

The midfielder has been ruled out for six months after suffering cruciate knee ligament damage in training.

Keltie will undergo an operation on Monday and Hodgson has vowed to stand by the 21-year-old.

Keltie, who joined Quakers from non-league Walker Central in 2001, is out of contract at the end of the season. However, he will remain on the payroll beyond his current deal, when Hodgson will allow the Tynesider time to earn an extension.

"We will give Kelts all the time he needs to recover from the injury and then we will sit down and take it from there," said Hodgson. "It's a huge blow to the lad and us because he is the only player who really provides that kind of cover for Neil Maddison."

Similarly, former Middlesbrough defender Alan Harrison will earn another opportunity to earn a permanent deal with the club when he recovers from a broken leg. The young full-back sustained the injury during a pre-season friendly with Bradford while on trial and has remained at the WMS to undergo a rehabilitation programme.

As expected, Damion Stewart has been selected in Jamaica's 18-man squad for the forthcoming CONCACAF Gold Cup Qualifying games against Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Cuba.

The 24-year-old is close to joining Quakers until the end of the season, although Hodgson already faces the prospect of losing the defender for the five-day event in Barbados (February 20-24).

Greek trialist Sokratis Petrou failed to impress in the reserves' 2-2 draw with Notts County yesterday. An injury-time equaliser cost Quakers victory after Craig Russell and Chris Hughes netted.

Midfielder Michael Coghlan was sent off late in the game for kicking out at a County player.

Darlington: Price, Pattinson (Janes 56 mins), McGurk, Mason, Chris Hughes, Convery, Petrou, Coghlan, St Juste (Mendum 81 mins), Russell, Parkin (McLeod 82 mins) Subs (not used): Logan, Craig Hughes.

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