DARLINGTON full-back Paul Heckingbottom is set to make his long-awaited return from injury at Whitby Town tonight.

The former Manchester United trainee has been plagued by groin injuries over the last 18 months, and missed the closing stages of last season.

However, after treatment throughout the summer, Heckingbottom will now play some part in the game at the UniBond League club.

But manager Gary Bennett appears to be covering his options by following up his interest in left back Simon Betts, who had a trial at Feethams when Billy McEwan was manager nine years ago.

"Simon could be the left sided player we're looking for," said Bennett.

"One or two other clubs are interested him, but I'm hoping to speak to him today."

One possible factor in Bennett's favour is that Betts comes from Teesside, and may be attracted to a return to the area.

Bennett will probably field several trialists at the Turnbull Ground tonight, just as he did for the friendlies at Blyth last week.

Two players who appear to have caught his eye are Bishop Auckland's Danny Mellanby and former Nottingham Forest midfielder Ben Sherwood, and both will probably play tonight. And almost certain to play at least half the game is Frenchman Abdu Taranga.

Most of the first team squad will probably play in Wednesday night's game at Queen of the South, before embarking on a tour of Ireland.

Meanwhile, assistant manager Mick Tait is in optimistic mood ahead of the new season which kicks-off in under three weeks time.

Last season was a big disappointment for the Quakers as they followed-up a fourth-placed finish the previous campaign by ending in 20th position.

"You've just got to look ahead," he said. "The chairman has put a lot of money into the new ground and, at times, last season that might have affected the team because there wasn't the finances there for it.

"But I think we've got a stronger squad this season, even though we've only signed two players in the summer. At the start of last year Gary lost a lot of players and it wasn't easy, but since then we've brought some lads in.

"It would be great to have a good year this season so we can get the fans excited in time for the move to the new ground."

* Hartlepool last night rounded off their pre-season tour of Norway with a thumping 5-0 win over Brann Bergen. It was the club's first win on their overseas travels and followed a 1-1 draw with Fana on Saturday. Goals from Jermaine Easter (2), Graeme Lee, Kevin Henderson and Paul Arnison secured the win against a Brann side consisting of squad players and hopefuls.

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