The Professional Footballers' Association last night admitted they had been unable to progress with the proposed free transfer of Darlington skipper Craig Liddle.

PFA sources confirmed that plans had been made to add Liddle's name to the list of players available on a free transfer which is regularly circulated among clubs.

But Liddle, believed to have been told to take a pay-cut on the remaining two years of his contract, won't appear on the list unless permission is given to the union by his club.

And last night it became clear that manager Tommy Taylor is reluctant to lose his influential skipper and has refused to give the go-ahead to the union for Liddle's name to the list.

However, the future of Liddle at the club remains in doubt. Northern Echo Sport understands that a number of clubs have been alerted to the situation and the defender is likely to speak to interested clubs in the coming weeks.

Liddle refused to comment last night, but chairman George Reynolds is known to be angry about the speculation over Liddle's future.

Meanwhile, Darlington's reserves provide the opposition when Walsall pick-up the Avon Insurance League Division One trophy at the Bescot Stadium this afternoon.

The Saddlers, have sealed the title with two games to play wile the game is Darlington's last of the campaign.After fielding four trialists in last week's reserve match at home to Grimsby Town, boss Tommy Taylor does not plan to give any a game today.

Ankle injury victim Richard Hodgson limped out of Saturday's defeat at Rochdale but having trained yesterday should be ready to face Scunthorpe on Saturday.

Read more about the Quakers here.