FORMER Celtic winger Bobby Petta will hold talks with David Hodgson in London this afternoon to discuss a move to Darlington.

Leeds United have also expressed an interest in the Dutchman who left Celtic last month, but spent the final five months as a regular in the Premiership on loan at Fulham.

However, Quakers are the only club to have made a firm approach for the left-sided midfielder who turned 30 in August.

Hodgson last night revealed initial talks have already taken place and Petta has expressed his desire to play in League Two for Quakers.

"Bobby has already shown plenty of interest in joining us and he will fly down to London to speak to us on Friday," said Hodgson.

"We are hopeful, but there is still a lot of work to be done."

He moved to Celtic from Ipswich Town on a free transfer in 1999 but, if he signs, it will not be before tomorrow's game at Southend.

Skipper Craig Liddle, however, could be involved at Roots Hall, after enduring one of the most frustrating spells of his career.

The defender is ready to put his recent injury problems behind him after playing 45 minutes of Wednesday's reserve team defeat at York City.

Liddle has not played competitively since November and underwent a double hernia operation last month. With Curtis Fleming sidelined for up to three weeks with a hamstring injury, the return of Liddle will come as a timely boost for Hodgson.

And while Liddle is severely lacking match practice, the defender is prepared to answer Hodgson's call at Roots Hall.

"I haven't played for a long time but everything went well at York," said Liddle. "I'm hoping that I'll be able to play at least some part down at Southend.

"It's been a while since I've came through a game without feeling any pain and now it's just a case of getting games under my belt."

Liddle has been dogged by knee, shoulder and hernia problems, which have restricted him to 16 appearances this season.

"With the team doing so well it has been frustrating," admitted Liddle. "But I'm delighted we're up there and hopefully I can do my bit to help."

Clyde Wijnhard and Craig Russell are both doubtful tomorrow. Wijnhard has suffered a recurrence of a hip problem, while Russell is struggling with a jarred back.

Midfielder Stephen Thomas is back in contention after recovering from a hernia operation. He played an hour of Wednesday's reserve game without any problems.

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