DARLINGTON manager David Hodgson is facing a major injury headache ahead of Saturday's trip to Macclesfield.

Hodgson could be without up to six first-team players after they all missed training yesterday.

Ian Clark and Joe Kendrick both picked up ankle injuries in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Northampton and join Joey Hutchison, Craig Hignett, Craig Russell and Stephen Thomas on the treatment table.

Hodgson will learn the full extent of Hutchison's knee injury today, with the defender facing at least a month on the sidelines.

And he also revealed Hignett is unlikely to recover from a groin injury in time to face the Silkmen.

"We've got more injuries this week than ever since I've been here," said Hodgson. "It's frustrating but these things happen and it's something we have to accept."

Thomas, Clark and Kendrick face another week out, while Russell could return this weekend following a thigh injury.

However, Hodgson will have been encouraged that Alun Armstrong came through 90 minutes unscathed.

Armstrong is training with former club Ipswich Town and will return to the North-East tomorrow.

Blackburn Rovers striker Jemal Johnson will hold talks with Quakers over a possible loan move this week, but Hodgson is unlikely to follow up his interest in Bradford's Michael Symes.

The Bantams are in administration and agreed to let the 21-year-old join Quakers on a month's loan last week.

However, the Football League put a block on the deal on Friday because they felt the move would be "inappropriate" after Bradford were given special dispensation to sign Wigan striker Neil Roberts.

Symes appeared as a substitute in Bradford's 4-1 win over Bristol City on Saturday and Bantams boss Colin Todd said: "It would have given him the chance for a bit of experience but I'm not disappointed that he has not gone."

Hodgson has also shelved plans to bring Moroccan international Hicham Zerouali to the club.

The former Aberdeen striker spent a successful trial spell with Quakers earlier this month and the club were awaiting a work permit- but were not guaranteed one.

Read more about the Quakers here.