DARLINGTON may give their French trialist a run-out in tonight's reserve game at home to Stockport (7pm) as Gary Bennett searches to add competition to his squad's forward line.

The favoured partnership of Danny Mellanby and Barry Conlon has reaped eight goals this season but reserve strikers Kirk Jackson, Clint Marcelle and Adam Marsh have yet to make an impact in the first team, prompting Bennett to look for another forward.

Irish Under-21 international Michael Reddy was a Bennett target, but the Sunderland striker joined Hull City on loan two weeks ago and has since told Peter Reid he is happy to stay in Humberside for a longer period.

Bennett won't name the trialist but he is the latest in a long line of players to have crossed the channel, seeking a chance to win a contract at Feethams.

Only Alex Jeannin has done enough to be offered a deal - he signed a three-year contract in April - but since the beginning of Bennett's tenure, Lehit Zeghdeane, Christophe Raymond, Abu Tangara, Abraham Keita and Jean-Michel Cau have all tried and failed to impress.

Although Quakers' fitness worries are fading - injury victims Neil Maddison, Phil Brumwell, David Brightwell and Adam Reed could all feature tonight - Mark Convery missed training on Monday and Mark Ford picked up a knock against Rushden. But both are expected to be available for the trip to Luton on Friday.

Read more about the Quakers here.