CONTINUITY is not a word you would often associate with Darlington manager David Hodgson - especially when it comes down to team selection.

But that is exactly what Hodgson is hoping to achieve next after adding the latest piece to his Quakers jigsaw this week.

Former Leeds striker Clyde Wijnhard will make his debut in the League Two visit of Southend United this afternoon after joining the club on a pay-as-you-play basis late on Thursday night.

The Dutchman became Hodgson's fourth signing since the club came out of administration last month.

In ten League outings this season, Quakers have remained unchanged for back-to-back games just once - at Yeovil and Kidderminster.

However, Hodgson has now set his sights on giving his new look team time to gel, after Wijnhard completed an impressive period of transfers at the Williamson Motors Arena, following the arrivals of former Craig Hignett and Alun Armstrong and Adolfo Gregorio in September.

"I don't think anyone would have given us a chance of signing players of that calibre a month ago," said Hodgson.

"We have added a lot of quality to the squad in that time. My next aim is to find a settled side.

"We have been forced to make changes for a number of reasons. The next month will give us a good chance to see how we develop as a team."

Wijnhard travelled from Leeds to watch Quakers in action at Mansfield Town on Tuesday and Hodgson said: "Clyde came along to the game and you could see that he is keen as mustard.

"I thought his attitude was quite touching and it was lovely to see him take such an interest in the team."

The forward saw a deal with Oldham Athletic collapse during the summer when he failed to agree personal terms after spending last season with Portuguese club Beira Mar.

And despite training with Sunderland in August, Wijnhard failed to earn a permanent deal at the Stadium of Light.

"The agreement is open-ended, so it works well for us and it works well for him," said Hodgson. "When you look at what he's already turned down, we're very fortunate to have him.

"There were one or two bigger clubs looking at him and I know Mick McCarthy thought he was worth pursuing.

"We already have Craig Hignett and Alun Armstrong on longer deals so we couldn't really risk doing the same with Clyde.

"It would be wrong to burden the football club like that."

Wijnhard will partner Armstrong in attack this afternoon, with Hignett likely to drop to midfield after recovering from a groin strain after a two-match absence.

Ian Clark is back in contention after recovering from an ankle injury, while Brian Close could keep his place in defence in the absence of Curtis Fleming (knee).

Influential defender Craig Liddle faces a late fitness test on a shoulder injury.

"Craig is claiming he is fit but we've got to take care of him," said Hodgson. "We can't afford to risk him so we will asses him on Saturday."

Quakers have not won on home soil since beating Grimsby Town on the opening day of the season - a worrying record Hodgson is keen to rectify.

Macclesfield and Mansfield have both inflected defeats on Quakers in the last seven days and Hodgson said: "If we are going to progress as a football club then we really need to start making our home advantage count.

"Mansfield put a decent team out on Tuesday night but Southend will be a different kettle of fish.

"They are a strong physical side and I'm sure they'll give us a good game."

Southend are managed by Steve Tilson and arrive in the North-East on the back of winning four of their last five league games.

Striker Jim Corbett made ten appearances for Quakers on loan from Blackburn two seasons ago and is part of an 18-man squad.

Midfielder Mark Bentley is eligible to face Quakers after an appeal following his dismissal against Colchester United was put back to October 5. Bentley was controversially dismissed for an alleged stamp on Us defender Stephen Hunt.