DARLINGTON defender Ryan Valentine has been warned by manager David Hodgson that his "needless" booking at Kidderminster could prove costly.

Valentine picked up his fifth yellow card of the season for a lunge on Adie Smith in Saturday's 1-1 draw at the Aggborough Stadium.

The Wales under-21 full back will miss next week's visit of Rochdale to the Reynolds Arena, while he serves a one-match ban.

Valentine's imminent suspension is one worry Hodgson could do without, given his side's current predicament at the foot of the Third Division.

"That really annoyed me because it was needless," fumed Hodgson. "It was just out of absolute stupidity and it is the last thing we need at the moment.

"He carried on running after this lad and put a stupid tackle in, which has really got my back up.''

Hodgson has warned Valentine his place in the side is anything but assured, with youngster Chris Hughes waiting in the wings.

"Now he's going to have to sweat on it because if Hughesy comes in and is outstanding I'll stick with him," said Hodgson.

"I'm not going to give these players opportunities to put themselves out of matches on the understanding they're going to come straight back in."

Valentine missed three games in December through suspension after receiving a straight red card in the 2-2 draw with Scunthorpe.

Quakers have received no further news on long-term injury victim Danny Mellanby.

The 24-year-old has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a troublesome back injury.

Mellanby, signed from Bishop Auckland in 2002, was told earlier this month that he would have to wait until April for an operation.

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