Craig Hignett has told Darlington manager David Hodgson he will be fit to face Mansfield Town tomorrow night.

The former Middlesbrough playmaker has not played since scoring twice in last month's 2-1 win at Rushden & Diamonds. Hignett limped off immediately after scoring his second goal at Nene Park.

But, after coming through a reserve game at Doncaster Rovers last week without any problems, the 34-year-old is hoping to be involved tomorrow.

"I've been back in training for over a week and I feel alright," said Hignett.

"There were no problems at Donny so it's up to the gaffer now.

"I can't feel any kind of tweak in my hamstring and it's just a case of getting a few games played now."

Hignett spent last season in the Premiership with Leicester, where he made 15 appearances, before finishing the season on-loan with former club Crewe.

After failing to earn a long-term deal at Leeds United during the summer, Hignett returned to the North-East with Quakers in September.

He admitted: "I'd not played football regularly for a long time and to go from that to playing six games on the spin probably had a lot to do with it.

"I've got to be careful and I'm sure the gaffer won't be taking any risks."

Hignett has missed the last five games through injury and was an unused substitute in Quakers' impressive 2-0 win at Cheltenham ten days ago.

"It's been a bit stop-start really and it has been frustrating watching games," said Hignett.

"At my age I have to be realistic and accept that there are going to be times when I'm going to be feeling tired.

"I wanted to play at Cheltenham but the gaffer told me he didn't want me to travel.

"I ended up being sub and he wasn't going to put me on unless it was necessary.

"I felt tip-top then and I feel just as good now, so hopefully I will be involved against Mansfield."

Former Republic of Ireland international Curtis Fleming is also in line for a return. He has not played since injuring his knee in the 1-0 defeat at Macclesfield in September.

* Former Darlington target Hicham Zerouali died in a car crash yesterday in Morocco.

The Moroccan international striker had a trial with Quakers earlier this season, impressing in two reserve games, but obtaining a work permit would have proved difficult, so, after Darlington signed Craig Hignett and Alun Armstrong, the 25-year-old returned to Morocco at the end of September, signing for FAR for whom he scored twice on Saturday.

It was reported that Zerouali's car slid off the road and hit a tree early yesterday near Rabat.

* On Saturday Darlington's youth team maintained their excellent start to the season with a 2-0 win at Boston United.

* Darlington are to send a reserve team to Crook's Millfield ground on Wednesday (7pm).

Read more about the Quakers here.