Luckless Darlington goalkeeper Andy Collett is facing another six weeks on the sidelines after his season took an unexpected turn for the worse yesterday.

Collett was taken to hospital after sustaining suspected ligament damage in his shoulder during a behind-closed-doors friendly at Gretna.

The news will come as a major blow to manager David Hodgson and Collett, who has endured a torrid season, spent mainly on the treatment table.

The 30-year-old missed Quakers' entire pre-season preparations after damaging his other shoulder.

And despite returning for the start of the season, he suffered a further blow when puncturing a lung in September.

Collett has been on the bench for Quakers' last five games and was pushing for a first-team recall.

Assistant manager Martin Gray took charge of yesterday's 3-3 draw and admitted: "It's a massive blow for us and for Andy.

"He's worked very hard these past few months and he was close to full fitness. Now he could be out for anything up to six weeks."

Collett picked up the injury coming to collect a cross, before colliding with a Gretna player.

"There was nothing malicious about it," said Gray. "Colly just came across for the ball and their lad didn't know much about it."

Cash-strapped Quakers are in no position to bring players in, although Hodgson may have to convince the club's administrators that this is an emergency, with 16-year-old Jack Norton the only cover for current first-choice Michael Price.

Hodgson could again turn to Middlesbrough's England Under-20 keeper Ross Turnbull, who made one loan appearance in November's goalless draw with Lincoln.

Striker Mark Sheeran did his chances of a first-team return no harm yesterday, scoring one and earning a penalty for Ian Clark to convert.

An own-goal after good work by Mark Convery completed the scoring for Quakers, who also handed a start to Craig Russell.

The former Sunderland striker, who had a two-month spell at Feethams in 1999 and also trained with the club in October 2002, has been released by Carlisle and is training with Quakers while he looks for a new club.

Darlington: Collett, Pearson, Collins, Mason, Valentine, Bossy, Keltie, Sheeran, Russell, Convery, Clark