Curtis Fleming and Craig Hignett are set to return to first-team action after playing for the reserves at Doncaster yesterday and emerging unscathed.

Fleming and Hignett both played the full 90 minutes in the 3-1 defeat after recovering from injury and reported no problems after the game.

Fleming has not played since sustaining a knee injury at Macclesfield in September, while Hignett has missed the last five games with a hamstring problem.

The pair will now come into contention for Tuesday night's League Two clash with Mansfield Town at the Williamson Motors Stadium.

"They both got 90 minutes under their belt, which is a massive boost," said midfielder Neil Maddison, in charge of the reserves.

"We still have one or two long-term injuries but the squad has not looked this strong for a while."

Quakers don't have a game this weekend after David Hodgson's men were knocked out of the FA Cup by Yeovil last week.

"I think it's a blessing in disguise that we haven't got a game on Saturday because it's given us that time to get some of the lads right," added Maddison.

American midfielder Adolfo Gregorio came through 80 minutes of yesterday's game at Belle Vue, before being substituted as a precaution.

The Californian has been sidelined for a fortnight with shin splints.

"Adolfo took a couple of knocks but he should be ok for the Mansfield game," revealed Maddison.

A second half hat-trick from Chris Beardsley condemned Quakers to their fifth defeat in the Pontins Holiday League this season after Mark Convery had given the visitors a 12th-minute lead.

Former Spurs and Reading striker Mario Noto received clearance to play, but it was young duo Chris Mason and Chris Hughes who caught the eye of Hodgson, watching from the stands.

"There were some very good performances despite the result," said Maddison.

"We did really well in the first half but stupid mistakes cost us in the end.

"Mario did ok and showed some nice touches."

DARLINGTON: Price, Hughes, Addison, McCloud, Mason, Fleming, Mendum, Gregorio, Convery, Hignett, Noto Subs: Bulford, Janes, St Juste.

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