JOEL Porter may be offered a return to Australia, with Perth Glory looking to entice Hartlepool United striker home.

The 25-year-old has netted six times for Pool this season, but his current deal runs until the end of the season and

And Mitch D'Avray, former Ipswich midfielder and now technical manager of the Australia A-League outfit, has confirmed his interest.

"He's someone I chased three years ago and if he was available I'd be interested again," he said.

Porter arrived in England in 2003 and had trials at Wigan and Sunderland before signing for Pool.

The striker has yet to cement a regular starting berth in Neale Cooper's side and admits he may be tempted.

"At the moment it's working out but if things are going forward in Australia it's another thing that I have to think about," said Porter.

"It will be a tough decision but it's something I'll look at hard, for sure."

Porter, who is believed also to have attracted interest from his hometown club Adelaide United, admitted he might never have moved overseas if the game in Australia had been in better shape.

"At the time things weren't too good back home and to go further in my career I think I had to come overseas and try my luck here," he said.

Porter was replaced in the second-half of Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday.

And, after seven successive League One away defeats, Cooper is demaning his team toughen up on their travels.

"When you go to places like Hillsborough you need to be strong mentally,'' he said.

"It's a big stage, but you have to be switched on and we didn't perform like we can.''

l Defiant Darlington manager David Hodgson last night insisted he has no reason to panic despite their recent slump in results.

As the team coach set off for Somerset yesterday, in preparation for tonight's FA Cup first round replay with Yeovil Town, Hodgson cut a calmer figure from the one that launched a stinging attack on his players after Saturday's 3-0 defeat at home to Lincoln City.

Hodgson warned that he would not tolerate any repeat of Quakers' worst performance of the season.

However, despite seeing his side extend their winless run to three games at the weekend, Hodgson has laughed off suggestions of a crisis.

"We've lost a couple of games and all of a sudden people are saying there is a crisis, which is complete rubbish," said Hodgson.

"Understandably, everybody was very disappointed after the Lincoln game but every team has an off-day and that was ours."

Yeovil twice fought from behind to earn tonight's re-match, while Quakers surrendered a one-goal lead to League Two leaders, Swansea, to lose 2-1.

He said: "When you look at the bigger picture we should have beaten Yeovil at the first time of asking and we were winning at Swansea, so I don't think we can be too down-hearted.

"We've managed this with a team which has virtually picked itself with the injuries we've had."

Defender Curtis Fleming has returned to training following a knee injury, but will not be available for another week.

Adolfo Gregorio has recovered from shin splints but will not be considered as Quakers face Yeovil for a third time this season.

Non-league side Histon await tonight's winners on December 4 and Hodgson said: "We shouldn't really be talking about this game because we should have been through to the next round already.

"Unfortunately, things happened that were out of our hands and now we have to make the long trip down to their place. We know we're capable of beating them.''

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