INJURY-HIT Quakers may have to cope without instant hero Craig Hignett when they visit Macclesfield Town tomorrow.

The experienced midfielder followed up his debut goal at Rochdale by scoring in his first home appearance last Saturday, but his strike was again only enough for a point as Darlington produced a lacklustre display against Northampton Town which earned a tongue-lashing from manager David Hodgson.

Hignett put his side ahead with a cool finish from a Ryan Valentine pass midway through the first half, but limped off with a groin injury a few minutes later. Quakers keeper Sam Russell was a busy man as he strove to keep a superior visiting team at bay, but they deservedly equalised early in the second half through Steve Morison.

With defender Joey Hutchinson likely to be out for the season and Stephen Thomas, Ian Clark and Joe Kendrick also struggling with injuries, Hodgson's resources are being stretched.

At least new signing Alun Armstrong got 90 minutes under his belt against the Cobblers and Craig Russell could return against the Silkmen.

But Jemal Johnson's proposed loan move from Blackburn is on hold as Rovers' new manager Mark Hughes wants to have a closer look at the young American striker.