MIDDLESBROUGH striker Danny Graham has agreed to help Darlington's fight against relegation by extending his loan stay at the Reynolds Arena until the end of the season.

The 18-year-old joined the club on an initial month-long loan and was due to return to the Riverside after scoring his first goal for the club in the Bank Holiday defeat at Southend.

However, the Teessiders' are happy to monitor Graham's progress across the A66, where he has impressed in five appearances.

Quakers boss David Hodgson said: "Danny was one of the few plus points at Southend.

"His work-rate has been phenomenal since he's been here and we're delighted to have him until the end of the season."

The club received more good news yesterday after Brian Close was called up to the Northern Ireland Under-23 squad to face Serbia and Montenegro on April 27.

The 20-year-old, who joined Quakers from Middlesbrough on a free transfer in March, will link up with Roy Miller's squad after the trip to Lincoln, three days before the clash in Belfast.

"It's great for Brian and it's great for Darlington Football Club," said Hodgson. "We signed him at a time when we couldn't afford to but Middlesbrough have been brilliant. There were other teams interested in him and Boro agreed to pay his wages until June."

Hodgson made four further 'signings' yesterday for next week's charity match at the Reynolds Arena.

The Quakers boss will take charge of a home nations XI, which will face a Granada TV XI on April 28.

Former Norwich keeper Bryan Gunn, Coventry boss Eric Black, ex-Scotland and Chelsea striker Robert Fleck and former Middlesbrough goalkeeper Kelham O'Hanlon have confirmed their places.

Despite raising £130,000 from a charity game in January, the club is still running at a loss and Hodgson said: "The importance of this game is enormous."

* Hartlepool United can clinch their second trophy of the week this afternoon.

Following the youth team's success in America where they won the Dallas Cup on Sunday night, Martin Scott's reserve side will win the Pontin's Holidays East League title if they avoid defeat at Newcastle.

* Brian Laws has been reinstated as Scunthorpe manager after major shareholder Steve Wharton regained control at Glanford Park.

Laws parted company with Scunthorpe by mutual consent last month, but has agreed to return with just four games left.

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