A NUMBER of clubs are monitoring the progress of Darlington's on-loan striker Lee Matthews.

The former Leeds forward joined Quakers for a month from Bristol City last week and made his debut in Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Cambridge.

The 24-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season, which has attracted the attention of several clubs, including Second Division Swindon Town.

City boss Danny Wilson has not ruled out the possibility of the Middlesbrough-born player returning to Ashton Gate for at least another season and that could hinge on how well Matthews performs back in his native North-East.

Matthews admitted at the weekend that a permanent move to Quakers would appeal.

However, should Quakers boss David Hodgson choose not to follow up his interest up in the player, Matthews hopes his performances for the club will put him in the shop window for other prospective buyers.

"I've spoken to Danny Wilson and he just wants to see how well I do here," said Matthews.

"There's always a chance I could go back to Bristol but if not who knows?

"At the moment all I want do is do well for Darlington and help them up the table.

"I don't know where I'm going to be next season but this is a good move for me because it's a chance to show clubs what I can do."

Sunderland full-back Craig James has agreed to remain with Quakers for a second month.

James has made five appearances since joining the club on a month's loan in November and Black Cats boss Mick McCarthy has allowed the 21-year-old to extend his stay at the Reynolds Arena until after the New Year.

Darlington's reserves are in action at York City today with goalkeeper Andy Collett expected to start after being sidelined since September with a punctured lung.

He was a surprise inclusion among the substitutes at Cambridge on Saturday.

Striker Mark Sheeran, recalled from a loan spell with Whitby Town, will also line up at Bootham Crescent (kick-off 2pm).

Meanwhile, the club are still without most of their playing and training kit.

Quakers were forced to wear Cambridge's second choice shorts on Saturday after burglars broke into the laundry room at Feethams ten days ago.

* Bury player-manager Andy Preece yesterday had his contract terminated by mutual consent.

The club, 12th in Division Three, say Preece was the victim of a cost-cutting exercise at Gigg Lane.

''This action has been necessitated by the need to make a significant reduction in expenditure in this financial year ending May 2004,'' said a club statement.

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