Darlington are today hoping to secure the services of Gary Caldwell for another month.

The centre-half has been an impressive acquisition since arriving in a temporary transfer from Newcastle a month ago, but the loan expires after tomorrow's match at leaders Plymouth. With Craig Liddle out injured until February, Quakers are keen to keep him at Feethams, but Caldwell may well take some convincing.

Manager Tommy Taylor said: "We've been speaking to Newcastle today about trying to get Gary for another month and the situation is looking a bit more positive than it did this time yesterday.

"We've been speaking to Gordon Milne and he's going to have a word with Bobby Robson so that, hopefully, we can try and arrange something.

"For the time being we want him for a month but, ideally we'd like him until Craig gets back."

Taylor and assistant manager Mick Tait were in attendance when Michael Reddy limped from the field with a recurrence of a hamstring strain during Sunderland reserves' win over Leeds on Wednesday evening. The game, played at Durham City's New Ferens Park also saw Leeds' Lucas Radebe break a leg, but the Darlington management duo were more interested in the Sunderland striker, who will now be out of action for at least two weeks.

Chesterfield's Luke Beckett, another Taylor transfer target, won't be coming to Feethams as he joined First Division Stockport County for £100,000 last night.

Taylor had been keeping tabs on the frontman, but Carlton Palmer's relegation-threatened outfit stepped in after Blackpool had been unable to agree personal terms having arranged a fee.

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