PETER DUFFIELD last night expressed his fears that a return to Darlington could fall through.

The much-travelled striker, now with Third Division rivals Boston, is out of favour at York Street, despite scoring five goals in 12 appearances for the Pilgrims this season.

Duffield has been told he can leave the club and the Middlesbrough-born forward has made no secret of his desire to return to the North-East with Quakers.

However, the 34-year-old will not be allowed to leave until Boston boss Neil Thompson has finalised a deal to bring Hartlepool striker Adam Boyd to the club on a permanent basis.

Boyd returned to Victoria Park last week after a successful two-month loan spell, but a permanent deal at York Street is imminent.

"I can't understand why the manager is insisting that I stay when I'm not a regular in the team," said Duffield. "It's not easy when you're in and out of the team, especially when you've scored goals.

"I'm the second top scorer here but it seems as if that is not good enough.

"It has been frustrating but as a professional you learn to deal with these situations."

Duffield's last appearance for Quakers came at Wembley in the Third Division play-off final defeat to Peterborough in 2000.

But the Teessider still has fond memories of the club and returned to play in Sunday's charity match at the Reynolds Arena.

"I had some very good times at Darlington and I would jump at the chance of going back," said Duffield.

"I was back at the weekend to play in the charity match and I enjoyed every minute of it. I've told Neil Thompson that I want to go but he has told me that it isn't possible at the moment.

"I'm out of contract at the end of the season and I really need to be playing first-team football."

Meanwhile, the club remain optimistic that tomorrow's Third Division clash at home to Rochdale will go ahead - with the help of a protective cover over the Reynolds Arena pitch.

Quakers remain rooted in the bottom two; four points adrift of safety after Southend's goalless draw with York in midweek.

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