Former Middlesbrough midfielder Neil Maddison yesterday reassured Darlington fans that he will be coming to Feethams.

Anxiety has been growing among the fans that the 31-year-old might not be coming to Feethams, especially after his agent cast doubt on the move last weekend, but Maddison yesterday confirmed that he will be a Darlington player next season.

Football director Luke Raine said: "Neil made contact with Gary Bennett early yesterday morning, and he assured Gary that he will be signing for us.

"We're delighted with the news because Neil is a major signing for us and he will give us a big boost."

It is thought that Maddison will sign a three-year contract, possibly today. Raine also revealed that Bennett has had a good look at the PFA release list, which was published this week. "Gary has found a couple of players in there which he would like to sign," said Raine.

Bennett has already revealed that he is looking for a couple of strikers, and it doesn't look as if he'll be improving his offer of a six-month deal to John Williams, who is hoping for at least a one-year contract. Bennett yesterday denied suggestions that the Quakers are about to release more players.

Rumour has it that Quakers have faxed several clubs with details of players who are available for transfer, but Bennett said: "This is an old rumour from a month ago when we were supposed to be releasing twelve players.

"It was wrong then. The players we released were largely different from those that we were supposed to be releasing.

"We told the players concerned that they were being released, and nothing has changed since then."

"Virtually all the members of the squad have a year left on their contracts."

Russell Latapy is set to have talks with Celtic over a move to the Premier League champions, his agent revealed yesterday.

The former Hibernian star has been linked with a move to Parkhead since his acrimonious axing by manager Alex McLeish.

Read more about the Quakers here.