DARLINGTON midfielder Clark Keltie will take his first steps on the long road to recovery when he goes under the surgeon's knife next Monday.

Keltie faces six months on the sidelines after sustaining cruciate knee ligament damage in training eight days ago.

After initial hopes that the Newcastle-born player would face up to a month out with only minor damage, Keltie's worst fears were realised last Friday when a scan revealed the injury was far more severe.

"We had hoped it was just cartilage damage, but we were 80 per-cent certain that it was cruciate," said club physio Paul Gough.

"Potentially he could have been out for up to four weeks, but tests showed it was a lot more serious.

"It's exactly the same injury and procedure as Joey Hutchinson so unfortunately we're looking at six months."

While Keltie is scheduled to return at the beginning of next season, Hutchinson will resume light training next month.

Midfielder Adrian Webster is back in training after recovering from a hamstring injury, while Ian Clark is expected to return next month after a double hernia operation.

Stephen Thomas has a slight calf problem but should be fit for Saturday's visit of Notts County.

Meanwhile, Quakers' boss David Hodgson is expected to make a decision on whether or not to invite Jamaican trialist Damion Stewart back to the club.

The defender returned to the Caribbean yesterday after spending a fortnight training with Quakers.

Assistant manager Mark Proctor admitted on Saturday that he was impressed with what he saw of the 22-year-old and has hinted that the player may be worth a second look.

New signing Bobby Petta could feature in tomorrow's reserve game with Notts County at the Williamson Motors Stadium as he builds up his fitness.

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