Darlington manager Mick Tait could hand young striker Mark Sheeran a rare chance to impress in tonight's LDV Vans Trophy first round clash with Hull City at the Reynolds Arena.

Ironically, the 21-year-old's last start in a Quakers shirt came in the same competition last season, in what was Tommy Taylor's ill-fated final game in charge at Stockport.

With Barry Conlon out for up to two months after damaging ankle ligaments during Saturday's 4-0 home defeat to Bristol Rovers, Glen Robson sidelined with a hamstring injury and Danny Mellanby suspended, Sheeran may get the nod to partner Matt Clarke in attack.

However, much will depend on whether Tait decides to hand a full debut to Alan Morgan, who joined the club on a month's loan from Blackburn Rovers last week.

The winger was used as a second half substitute on Saturday as a replacement for Conlon.

Conlon's withdrawal ten minutes into the second half forced Tait into a reshuffle, with Morgan slotting in to Ian Clark's left-wing position, which saw the former Hartlepool man move into attack alongside Clarke.

The Quakers boss is looking towards tonight's game as an ideal opportunity for his side to bounce back following two straight defeats. "This will be a good chance for the lads to put things right," said Tait. "Obviously everyone was very disappointed with the result on Saturday. All we can do is work hard and do all we can to make sure it doesn't happen again."

Skipper Craig Liddle is fit to face the Tigers despite picking up a head injury at the weekend, while midfield duo Fabian Bossy and Michael Coghlan could figure.

"I have one or two options and I might even bring a couple of young lads in," said Tait.

"We could do with freshening things up a bit so we'll probably make a few changes."

Defender David McGurk will be suspended for Saturday's trip to Yeovil - the club cannot launch an appeal against his dismissal. He was controversially sent off in the 3-1 defeat at Mansfield over a week ago but because it was a second bookable offence.

Meanwhile, chairman George Reynolds is keen to get Paul Gascoigne on board.

Reynolds has spoken to Gazza's advisors and admitted: "I love Paul as a player and as a person and he would be a massively popular player here.

"We have always been interested in bringing him here and I think he looks quite fit.

"He would definitely bring the crowds in to the new stadium and get this club back on its feet."

Read more about the Quakers here.