Deadline came and went on Thursday without Darlington getting involved in the transfer whirlwind which always takes place at this time of the season, but Quakers will have a new face in their side at Hull this afternoon.

However, the player isn't so much new as striker Barry Conlon returns from a month on the sidelines. He suffered cartilage damage at Leyton Orient but has returned quicker than expected so will partner Glenn Naylor in attack as Darlington look to end their run without a win which now stands at ten games.

Boss Tommy Taylor is excited about being able to pair Conlon and Naylor at Boothferry Park.

Because of injury problems, since December only once have Darlington had the option of choosing two strikers, that game being the disappointing 3-1 defeat at home to Torquay when Conlon and Danny Mellanby played.

Taylor said: They looked electric together in training, really good. Baz was heading the ball into Glenn's path and Glenn was feeding off him brilliantly."

Typical of Darlington's luck this season, David Brightwell had to abort his comeback on Wednesday when he limped off the pitch after just ten minutes of the reserves' game so he'll miss the chance of playing at his former employers today.

He's been suffering from a thigh strain but shortly after the start of the midweek game he suffered a strained calf - not thought to be the same one he pulled at Peterborough in the FA Cup.

"He'd have been shot by now if he was a horse!" quipped Taylor.

Fellow defender Gary Pearson has a stiff neck and is doubtful for today's game against the manager-less Tigers who have been strongly-linked with Jan Molby this week as they seek to replace Brian Little who was sacked last month.

Quakers' predictably quiet Thursday doesn't mean Taylor and assistant Mick Tait haven't already targeted some players and two prospective new players were give auditions in this week's reserves clash.

With next season firmly in mind Newcastle striker Jonathan Mann and Middlesbrough left-back Liam Smith both were given the opportunity.

Taylor said: "It was the left-back's second game because he played down at Scunthorpe and did ever so well. If he was a few inches bigger it would help him out but he's neat and tidy, a bit like Bettsy.

"The centre-forward got better as the game went on quite frankly. What I liked about him was his pace."

The pair are both in their final year of their three-year youth contracts and are to be released in the summer. Reserve keeper Andrew Grainger played as a triallist for Bradford's reserves on Monday when they were beaten 5-0 by Newcastle

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