DARLINGTON boss David Hodgson admits it is looking increasingly unlikely that Middlesbrough striker Danny Graham will be joining the club.

The 19-year-old has been told he can move to Quakers on loan by the Teessiders, but only on the condition he is gaining regular, first-team experience.

But with on-loan Sunderland striker Neil Teggart already on the club's books, Hodgson isn't in the position to make any guarantees.

"I'm interested in bringing Danny in but the conditions would include him being in the starting 11," said Hodgson. "For all I would love to have Danny at the club we would not be able to bring him in under our circumstances."

Hodgson is a long-term admirer of Graham and failed to land the County Durham-born forward on loan shortly after returning to the club in November.

The Quakers boss was thwarted by a Football League ruling which prevents Academy players from joining other clubs.

Graham recently signed professional forms with Boro, alerting the interest of Hodgson.

But with just one free place in his 19-man squad - under Football League regulations, club's in administration are restricted to 20 players - Hodgson is keen to keep his options open.

Cambridge are hopeful of clinching the permanent signing of Ashley Nicholls this week.

The Quakers midfielder joined the Us in February until the end of the season. And after impressing for John Taylor's Third Division strugglers - who boosted their own survival chances with a 4-3 win at the Reynolds Arena on Saturday - the Us boss is keen to take the 22-year-old to the Abbey Stadium on a full-time basis.

Nicholls has failed to settle in the North-East and Hodgson admitted: "Ash was keen to go home and I think that reflected in some of his performances. He's done well down there by all accounts and John Taylor is keen to take him permanently.