Darlington defender Joey Hutchinson is ready to tell manager David Hodgson his long-term future lies at the Williamson Motors Stadium.

Middlesbrough-born Hutchinson is out of contract in the summer and there were fears the highly coveted 22-year-old could quit the club to be closer to his family in Birmingham.

Last month Hodgson conceded that he may be forced to part with Hutchinson, less than two years after Mick Tait brought the Teessider back to the North-East from Birmingham City on a free transfer.

However, Hutchinson has made it clear that he wants to remain with Quakers beyond his current deal.

"My girlfriend and daughter are down in Birmingham, but that won't be a problem," said Hutchinson. "I'm happy here and don't want to go anywhere else."

Hutchinson has not played since sustaining cruciate knee ligament damage at Rochdale in September, but he has resumed light training and will continue his rehabilitation at the National Sports Centre in Lilleshall next week.

"It's been a frustrating time and I'm just looking forward to getting out on the pitch with the lads again," said Hutchinson. "I've been down to Lilleshall a couple of times already and everything seems to be going pretty well.

"Hopefully I will be ready to play some time in March."

While Quakers await Hutchinson's return, manager David Hodgson is not ruling out the possibility of adding another defender to his ranks after bringing Jamaican international Damion Stewart to the club on trial.

The 24-year-old trained with Quakers yesterday, just five days after helping the Reggae Boyz to a 5-0 aggregate win over French Guiana in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

The 6ft 2in defender plays in Jamaica for Harbour View and has over 20 caps.

"We've been looking at Damion for ages and we thought we'd have a closer look," said Hodgson. "He's a central defender, but he can also play as a defensive midfielder."

French midfielder David Ramo has also joined the club on trial.

Quakers physio Paul Gough will asses the fitness of several first-team players this morning, ahead of tomorrow's League Two game with Shrewsbury Town at the WMS.

Clyde Wijnhard (hip), Craig Russell (back), Matt Clarke (groin) and Adolfo Gregorio (hamstring) will undergo fitness tests.

Craig Liddle and David McGurk stepped up their recoveries with lengthy runs in Durham yesterday. Midfielder Stephen Thomas has been suffering with flu, but could be back in contention tomorrow.

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