DESPITE the shackles of administration and the threat of relegation, Darlington's Joey Hutchinson is enjoying life back in the North-East.

The Middlesbrough-born defender swapped the Premiership for the Third Division during the summer, leaving Birmingham City on a free transfer after just one start for the Blues.

Hutchinson was brought to the Reynolds Arena by Mick Tait as a replacement for Telford-bound Stuart Whitehead, who was offered improved terms by the Conference outfit.

And the 22-year-old has proved to be a shrewd acquisition with a string of impressive displays for Quakers this season.

"I've learnt a lot since I've been here," said Hutchinson. "It's been a difficult season but for me personally, it's been a great experience.

"I feel that I'm playing well and enjoying my football."

The Teessider is quick to praise defensive partners Craig Liddle and Matt Clarke for their help in nurturing his game.

"Playing besides Liddle and Clarke has helped me out a lot," said Hutchinson. "They are the kind of players you can learn from and I think they've certainly helped my game."

Despite Quakers precarious position at the foot of the Third Division, Hutchinson remains upbeat about the club's survival chances.

"The boys are confident we can get out of it," said Hutchinson. "You hear the old clich that you're too good to go down but the table doesn't lie.

"We have plenty of belief that we can get out of trouble but it's time to start making sure out on the pitch."

And Hutchinson has called on the club's strikers to do their bit in ensuring league safety.

"If you get a lead early on you kill teams off and that's what we've got to try to do," said Hutchinson.

"We've played well defensively and at the other end we've been getting in the positions to score goals but we're not putting our chances in the net."

Quakers boss David Hodgson is likely to scrap the 3-4-3 system used in the 1-0 defeat at Boston on Saturday and revert to 3-5-2 for the visit of play-off hopefuls Mansfield at the weekend.

On-loan Middlesbrough striker Danny Graham is likely to keep his place for the visit of the Stags.