While most supporters have been bowled over by the arrival of Faustino Asprilla, Darlington boss Tommy Taylor has taken a calm approach to the surprise signing and says the high-profile name is not guaranteed a first-team place.

Asprilla has not yet trained with his new teammates and is not expected to be fully fit as he has not undergone pre-season training.

With Glenn Naylor staking his claim for a run in the first-team with a two-goal blast on Tuesday against Carlisle, Asprilla is far from a certain starter, especially so considering his international clearance may not come through in time.

Kidderminster Harriers are expecting around 1,000 Darlington fans to make the trip to the Aggborough Stadium on Saturday but Taylor, international clearance permitting, will not bow to pressure from fans to play Asprilla from the start.

The Quakers' chief explained: "If he's not fit I'm not going to put him out there yet. Everybody will expect him to be like he was at Newcastle, but if he's not fit he won't be able to do them things.

"I'll just tell him that when he's ready to go into the team, we'll have him in.

"I don't know when the international clearance will come through, and until then we can work him very hard.''

Taylor has been pragmatic about Asprilla's signing, and claims overseeing Amara Simba's transfer to Leyton Orient in 1998 was just as big a coup.

"I don't think it's that astounding that Asprilla is going to be pulling on a Darlington shirt," said Taylor. "Simba pulled on a Leyton Orient shirt and he was a superstar, he played for Monaco, Paris St Germain."

Simba was last seen at Kettering Town following spells at Kingstonian and St Albans after leaving Brisbane Road.

Despite refusing to join in the euphoria about Asprilla, who will wear shirt number 29, Taylor did say: "I tell you what though, he won't be the last one to sign, we will sign a few more."

With 1,700 spaces available, Kidderminster hold no worries over accommodating expectant Darlington fans on Saturday.

A limited number of seats are available to travelling fans and tickets for that area and the terrace are available via telephone bookings, but will only be available by collection at Aggborough. Seat tickets are £14 and £11, terraces tickets are £11 and £7.

Away fans are advised to arrive at Kidderminster early as queues are expected.

For further information contact the Harriers on (01562) 823931 or visit their website at www.harriers.co.uk.

* Taylor has explained his reasoning for putting 16-year-old John Alexander on the bench on Tuesday.

Alexander, who was an unused sub, was chosen ahead of Danny Mellanby who is still awaiting an injection to cure his long-term back problem while Mark Sheeran is "not firing on all cylinders at the moment" said Taylor.

* Having opened the campaign with a 2-0 defeat at York a week ago, Darlington's reserves last night lost 3-0 at home to Notts County. Featuring trialists Tom Newy (left-back) and Craig Farrell (forward), Quakers succumbed to defeat with all the goals coming in the first-half, the pick an impressive 25-yard shot from by ex-Leeds youngster Tony Hackworth.

Read more about the Quakers here.