DARLINGTON have moved to sign Middlesbrough striker Danny Graham on loan until the end of the season, a deal which is being funded by supporters.

The Associated Supporters' Kitty (TASK) was jointly set up by the Darlington Supporters' Trust and the Supporters' Club, shortly after the club went into administration last December, to provide help with costs incurred on the playing side.

The 19-year-old will complete the formalities of the move today after TASK agreed to cover his wages until the end of the season.

This is the first time the scheme has been used to bring a player to the club, and Darlington manager David Hodgson was quick to praise the help of the scheme.

He said: "This move wouldn't have been made possible without TASK.

"They have been fantastic in raising funds to assist us and we are grateful. In our circumstances we cannot afford to go out and pay for players.

"The opportunity came along to sign Danny and it was one we did not want to miss."

Peter Ashmore, secretary of the Supporters' Trust said: "The money is there is to be used by David Hodgson and we're pleased that we can assist in this way.

"The aim was to create extra revenue for players so we're delighted to see it being used."

Graham will go straight into the squad for tomorrow's trip to Third Division leaders, Doncaster Rovers.

A Football League ruling, which prevents Academy players from moving to other clubs on loan, thwarted Hodgson in his attempts to land the youngster in November.

But Graham signed professional forms with the Carling Cup winners last week, prompting Hodgson to make a renewed approach.

"He's a lad who I rate very highly and I'm delighted we've been finally able to get him," said Hodgson. "I tried to make him my first signing as soon as I came back to the club but we weren't able to do that.

"I've watched him on many occasions and he knows how to score goals."

Graham is unlikely to start at Belle Vue, with on-loan Sunderland striker Neil Teggart expected to partner Barry Conlon in attack.

With four recognised strikers at the club, Hodgson beamed: "The good thing is I have a healthy number of strikers to choose from.

"The next few weeks are going to be crucial so it's good to know we have strength in numbers."

Meanwhile, Ashley Nicholls' proposed move to Cambridge United hangs in the balance after Us manager John Taylor was sacked yesterday.

Taylor took the 22-year-old to the Abbey Stadium on loan at the start of February and had been hoping to sign him permanently after his temporary transfer ends at the end of the season.

Hodgson refused the Us permission to field Nicholls in Cambridge's 4-3 win at the Reynolds Arena on Saturday, and although the homesick midfielder is desperate for a move closer to his Ipswich home, Taylor's departure throws the move into doubt.

Hartlepool striker Jermaine Easter is also on loan and he too faces an uncertain future.

Hodgson said: "John was very interested in taking Ash permanently so that's something we will need to look at now.

"As far as we're concerned Ash is down there until the end of the season.

" He moved there to be closer to home, but whether or not he remains at Cambridge is another now matter.''

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