DARLINGTON manager David Hodgson will hold talks with Alun Armstrong this month to discuss the striker's future at the Williamson Motors Stadium.

Two League One club's are believed to have expressed a tentative interest in the 29-year-old.

Armstrong is out of contract on December 16 and Hodgson has already signalled his intentions to reward the Gateshead-born forward with a longer deal. Armstrong has scored seven goals - including a hat-trick - since joining Quakers in September.

"There have been one or two clubs in contact with Alun's agent but nothing more than that," Hodgson confirmed.

"We have to accept that Alun's name is going to get touted about by agents because that is their job."

Following a catalogue of injury setbacks the former Middlesbrough striker was released by Ipswich during the summer.

After trials at Rotherham and Bristol City, Armstrong signed a three-month contract with Quakers on the basis that he could join a club at a higher level if the opportunity arose.

"We are well aware that he wants to play at a higher level and that is something we have known all along," said Hodgson.

"Hand on heart, I would love for Alun to commit his future to us, and if he is thoughtful about the situation he might well do that.

"He has an opportunity with us to prove over a period of time that he has the ability to perform at a higher level."

Armstrong made no secret of his intentions when he joined Quakers three months ago, admitting the move would help put him in the shop window.

And while Armstrong has done his chances of earning a move no harm, his fitness remains a key issue for prospective buyers.

"Before we signed Alun there were other clubs looking at him, but nobody would take that next step and take him on," said Hodgson.

"We showed our faith in him and he has repaid us with a few goals."

And after allowing Armstrong to train in Ipswich during the week, Hodgson added: "How many other teams would let Alun do that? We have done everything to ensure Alun is as happy as possible while he builds up his fitness.

"We have put together a schedule he can work to in Ipswich when he's not up here training with us."

Hodgson has vowed to keep tabs on Norwegian winger Tore Hansen, who has joined League Two rivals Macclesfield Town on trial.

Hansen has been training with Quakers, but with no guarantee of a deal at the WMS, the youngster has been allowed to move to the Moss Rose ground.

While Hodgson is leaving the door open for Hansen, striker Mario Noto has left the club after an unsuccessful trial. The 20-year-old failed to impress in Wednesday's reserve defeat at Doncaster Rovers.

Hodgson has no immediate plans to bring more trialists in and has set his sights on Tuesday's League Two clash with Mansfield Town.

The Stags have failed to win their last five league games and are without a permanent manager after Keith Curle was suspended by the club last month.

Former England international Carlton Palmer has been placed in temporary charge of the Stags, following allegations that Curle bullied a trainee. And Palmer, who trained with Quakers last season, has arranged an unorthodox way of restoring morale in his squad by taking them go-karting this morning.

"I have said to the players this is a means for us all to get together," said Palmer.

* Burnley have rejected a second bid from Wigan for Robbie Blake.

The Latics had a £500,000 offer for the 28-year-old former Darlington favourite knocked back earlier this week and they have now returned with an offer of £600,000.

That bid has also been turned down by the Clarets, who remain unwilling to sell their 11-goal top scorer.

Burnley chief executive Dave Edmundson said: ''All of this talk is unsettling for our player and our captain, who is under contract with us for another 18 months.

''The manager has had to deal with that and we have no intention of selling the player.''

* Luton manager Mike Newell insists he has received no second bid from Nottingham Forest for striker Steve Howard despite Joe Kinnear claiming to have increased his original offer.

Kinnear said he had made a new approach for the former Tow Law and Hartlepool striker, Newell said: ''There has been no bid at all from Forest apart from the one we received a few weeks ago.

''I don't know what they are playing at. It has become annoying now, because he is not for sale.''

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