DARLINGTON boss David Hodgson has left the door open for former loan star Craig James to make a return to the club.

The Sunderland defender is free to talk to other clubs after being told his contract will not be renewed at the end of the season.

James enjoyed a successful spell on loan at the Reynolds Arena earlier this season, scoring once in ten appearances.

The 21-year-old turned down the chance to remain with Quakers for a third month in January, opting to return to the Stadium of Light and reserve-team football.

However, James has been told he has no long-term future at the Stadium of Light by Black Cats boss Mick McCarthy, who has also made Simon Ramsden, Chris Scott and Chris Black available on free transfers.

Hodgson is keen to add to his left-sided options, with Ian Clark and Ryan Valentine the only natural players in that area. James would fit the bill perfectly, having already proved himself in the Third Division with the club.

"All Craig needs to do is pick up the phone and ring me," said Hodgson. "I'm not sure whether he has anything lined up with another club but he is a player who interests me.

"He did well while he was here and it was disappointing not to keep hold of him.

"We wanted him to stay longer but he decided he wanted to go back to Sunderland."

Hodgson is hoping to add at least one new face to his squad before Saturday's six-pointer at Macclesfield.

The Quakers boss has held talks with a Premiership club with a view to signing a young striker on loan.

Hodgson, meanwhile, has rubbished reports of a second bid from Swansea for top scorer Barry Conlon.

Sources in South Wales are linking the Swans with a double swoop for Conlon and Rochdale striker Paul Connor as Brian Flynn's men bid for a play-off place.

Quakers turned down a bid for Conlon on Monday from The Swans and Hodgson said: "We have not heard anything else from Swansea or any other club for Baz.

"The Swansea chairman came to us with a bid and we said 'no' and that was it.

"We haven't had any more offers. Baz has already told us he does not want to go to Swansea."

l Ken Bates will make a formal approach to join Sheffield Wednesday's board of directors within the next fortnight.

The outspoken former Chelsea chairman, who officially resigned his post at a Stamford Bridge farewell dinner last night, is ready to invest some of his £17m fortune and vast knowledge of the game in the fallen Yorkshire giants.

And former Labour MP Joe Ashton, a director at Hillsborough from 1990-99, is backing his friend as the man to take the Owls back into the big time.

''He is definitely interested in Sheffield Wednesday,'' said lifelong Wednesday fan Ashton.

''He's not coming in as a predator. He wants to sound out the directors. He wants to speak to the fans and get their feedback.

''He wants to do what Sam Hammam has done at Cardiff and I can't think of a better candidate to do the job.''

Bates ended 22 years as Chelsea chairman at a 'Chairman's Supper Club' gathering at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday and immediately declared he still had ''another challenge'' left in him.