UPBEAT Ryan Valentine believes Darlington have every reason to be full of festive cheer.

Despite last week's defeat at Boston United, Valentine insists squad morale remains high ahead of Quakers' Boxing Day clash with Rochdale at the Williamson Motors Stadium.

Valentine played in Saturday's 3-1 reversal at York Street in a game Quakers dominated.

However, the Welshman is not too downhearted and believes he and the rest of the squad can take plenty of positives into Sunday's game.

"It was disappointing to lose, especially when you look at the amount of chances Boston created compared to us," said Valentine. "We certainly played well enough to win the game but it's all about putting those chances away.

"The gaffer didn't really have a bad word to say to us in the dressing room, which summed it up really.

"We have some important games coming up and we have to make sure we bounce back against Rochdale."

The 22-year-old wing-back has been a virtual ever-present this season, but lost his place recently to Neil Wainwright.

However, after Wainwright was struck down with a virus at Boston, Valentine was handed a recall.

And after a solid display, the former Everton defender will be confident of holding on to his place, despite Wainwright's return to fitness.

Manager David Hodgson has no fresh injury worries. Skipper Craig Liddle faces four to six weeks on the sidelines after undergoing a double hernia operation on Tuesday.

Defender David McGurk has had surgery on a knee injury and is scheduled to return in a month, while midfielder Stephen Thomas will be available in three weeks after undergoing a hernia operation.

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