Darlington have taken Argentinian striker Leandro Scartascini on trial until the end of the season.

The 19-year-old, who saw a dream move to Italian side Udinese collapse this season, linked up with the Quakers on Tuesday

The Buenos Aires-born forward was recommended to manager David Hodgson by contacts in South America and will train with Quakers with a view to a permanent move.

A host of European clubs are monitoring Scartascini's situation after red tape prevented the highly-rated teenager from moving to the Serie A with Udinese.

Scartascini has Italian grandparents and will not require a work permit.

"Hopefully, if we like what we see Leandro will join us for next season," said Hodgson, who spent seven months in Argentina working as an agent.

"He holds an Italian passport but there have been one or two complications with his move to Udinese.

"In the meantime we have stepped in to take a look at him."

Quakers reserves are in action at Doncaster this afternoon but Scartascini will not feature.

Defender Joey Hutchinson and on-loan Sunderland striker Neil Teggart are both pushing for first-team recalls and will have a chance to stake their claim at Belle Vue today, three days before Quakers visit Third Division leaders Doncaster.

"There are one or two players knocking on the door and I have plenty to think about," admitted Hodgson.

"Doncaster have had an excellent season and I'm expecting a very difficult game.

"Whatever I decide will be in the best interests of the club."

l The gap between Darlington and the relegation zone was reduced to six points and they dropped two places to 19th after six of the seven teams below them picked up points last night.

Second-bottom Macclesfield narrowed the gap by beating promotion-chasing Swansea 2-1, while Boston and Southend both leapfrogged Quakers.

l Norwich and West Brom seem set for the Barclaycard Premiership after both recorded important home wins last night.

Norwich maintained their position as leaders with a 3-0 win over Gillingham at Carrow Road. Gillingham held out after Barry Ashby's 25th-minute red card but succumbed to three quickfire second-half goals.

Alan Pouton put through his own goal (63) and seconds later Phil Mulryne's well-placed header from Paul McVeigh's cross settled it. Within two minutes McVeigh curled in a third after excellent work from Darren Huckerby.

West Brom's own hopes of automatic promotion were boosted with a 2-1 win over Wigan.

The victory put them 11 points clear of third-placed Sheffield United but they left it late as Danish defender Thomas Gaardsoe volleyed in a winner for the Baggies.

Andy Liddell gave Wigan hope of a momentous win with a 73rd-minute penalty but Albion hit back four minutes later when Lee Hughes converted a spot-kick after he had been up-ended by Wigan goalkeeper John Filan. Filan was dismissed for that professional foul and ultimately the pressure told as Gaardsoe nicked the winner.

The Blades are now third despite being held to a 1-1 draw against South Yorkshire rivals Rotherham at Millmoor.

Jack Lester notched his 13th goal of the season from the penalty spot and Andy Monkhouse equalised for the Millers.