ASHLEY NICHOLLS has refused to rule out reviving his Darlington career when he returns to the club at the end of the season.

The 22-year-old is currently on loan at Cambridge United, who appointed former Cameroon and Senegal coach Claude Le Roy as their new manager this week.

Le Roy's arrival has cast fresh doubts over Nicholls' long-term future at the Abbey Stadium.

The midfielder has failed to settle in the North-East since joining Quakers from home-town club Ipswich at the start of last season.

But despite making the switch in February, Nicholls has left the door open after holding brief talks with Darlington manager David Hodgson this week.

"Ash is now in a situation where he has to convince somebody else that he is capable of staying at Cambridge," said Hodgson.

"He has hinted that there is a chance he could come back to us. I'm sure he'll want to consider his options carefully, given ours and Cambridge's situation.

"It is something we will address at the end of the season."

Former Us boss John Taylor was keen to sign Nicholls, who is available on a free transfer, a fortnight ago. But nothing materialised.

Cambridge yesterday completed the transfer deadline day signing of Blackpool defender Chris Clark, twin brother of Quakers defender, Matt.

With clubs in administration limited to 20-man squads, Hodgson - who still has Andy Collett and Danny Mellanby on the books - was unable to make any signings.

Quakers will be without defender Joey Hutchinson for tomorrow's visit of promotion-chasing Torquay. He is out for a week with a hamstring injury.

* Scunthorpe manager Brian Laws has left the club by mutual consent. Laws, the sixth longest-serving manager in English football, had been in charge for seven years since taking over from ex-Sunderland boss Mick Buxton.

A run of four defeats has left Scunthorpe only six points clear of the relegation zone, ending with a 3-2 loss at home to Carlisle.

Read more about the Quakers here.