WITH league safety assured, Ian Clark has set his sights on earning a new contract at Darlington.

Clark is one of a number of players who will become free agents in the summer.

Despite the club's poor financial position, boss David Hodgson has been given the go-ahead from the club's administrators to open talks with 11 players - including Clark - whose deals are due to expire.

The club has already taken its one-year option up on defender Matt Clarke, while Brian Close and Craig Russell will be hoping to earn deals.

Hodgson has already made it clear that Clark is part of his plans for next season.

And the 29-year-old sees the remaining two games of the season as an opportunity for every player to cement their future at the club.

"There is still plenty for us to play for and a lot of the lads are playing for contracts," said Clark. "Obviously the gaffer is going to bring in players and it is up to us all to make sure we're good enough to stay at the club."

Two players who will be leaving the club at the end of the season are on-loan duo Neil Teggart and Danny Graham.

Sunderland striker Teggart and Middlesbrough youngster Graham are due to return to their clubs after the last game of the season at Scunthorpe on May 8.

And Clark was quick to praise the pair, who have played a part in Quakers' fight for survival.

"Graham and Teggart have worked as hard as the other lads even though their careers aren't on the line like ours," said Clark.

"They are going back to the big clubs which is fair play because that's what they deserve.

"We have to be extremely grateful to Middlesbrough and Sunderland."

With crippling debts Hodgson has been restricted to loan signings since re-joining the club in November.

And while Clark recognises the achievements of Carlisle under boss Paul Simpson, the Teessider believes Quakers' battle against the odds is an even bigger success story.

"Everybody says how well Carlisle have done," said Clark.

"They have in a way but you have to remember that we haven't been able to bring in any players.

"We've borrowed two from two of our local teams and they have been fantastic for us."

Read more about the Quakers here.