DARLINGTON'S mounting injury problems have taken a further blow after striker Barry Conlon was ruled out for up to six weeks.

Conlon was stretchered off during Saturday's crushing 4-0 home defeat at the hands of Bristol Rovers.

There were fears the 25-yearold had suffered a broken leg after challenging Rovers fullback Ijah Anderson for the ball.

However X-ray results have shown no fracture, although Tait last night revealed the Dublinborn forward faces at least a fortnight on the sidelines after damaging ligaments.

"Barry had an X-ray on Saturday night and thankfully there wasn't a break, " said Tait.

"It looks as though he's suffered some ligament damage.

"We don't know exactly how long he'll be our for but we should have a better idea over the next few days.

"With those kind of injuries you're normally looking at four to six weeks.

"Hopefully it won't be as long as that."

The Quakers boss is already without a string of players through injury and suspensions.

And Tait admitted the loss of last season's top scorer is a huge blow.

"Obviously we're all very disappointed but all we can do is get on with it, " said Tait.

"We all know how small the squad is anyway and this hasn't really helped matters.

"But we have lads on the bench who are desperate to start and hopefully whoever does come in will come in and do a job for us."

Glen Robson (hamstring) and Danny Mellanby (suspended) are unavailable so Ian Clark and Mark Sheeran will compete for Conlon's place when Quakers entertain Hull City in the LDV Vans Trophy tomorrow night.

Tait has challenged the players who are available to respond to their weekend mauling with a positive account of themselves against the Third Division leaders.

"We'll see what the players are made of, " said Tait.

"It's no good walking about with our heads down.

"There's nowhere to hide. We just have to get back on that pitch, work hard and hopefully find the form we showed in September.

"There's no easy remedy when you've been beaten like that.

"It's all about having the right attitude and bouncing back in the next game."

And to do that, Tait believes fans can play their part by getting behind the team.

"We need to make better starts and this is something we have spoken about, " said Tait.

"To liven the crowd up we need to start better and it is our duty to do that.

"When that happens the players go up another notch."

Skipper Craig Liddle will be fit to face the Tigers despite picking up a head injury at the weekend.

The former Middlesbrough defender had to receive stitches after a clash of heads with a Rovers player.

However Tait insists the 31year-old will be fit to face Peter Taylor's men tomorrow night.

"Craig had a few stitches in his head but that's not enough to keep him off, " said Tait.

Reports yesterday claimed chairman George Reynolds was about to revive his interest in former Newcastle and England midfielder Paul Gascoigne.