Darlington are to offer their management team of Gary Bennett and Mick Tait new contracts at the end of the season.

Bennett and Tait complete their present deals when the season finishes and Quakers are to move quickly to tie them to the club once they have completed the escape from relegation.

Bennett was appointed manager a fortnight before the start of the season and has had a rocky baptism in the world of football management.

Football director, Luke Raine, said: "Despite all the problems we've had this season we feel that Gary has nevertheless done a good job for us and we want him to continue."

Tait was enlisted in February and some fans feel that it is no coincidence that his arrival has helped Darlington to a current run of just one defeat in ten matches.

Tait was originally signed on a short-term contract, but Raine said: "Mick wants to give it a go beyond the end of the season because he feels that he has something to prove in the North-East.

"The partnership between him and Gary is gelling and I am sure it will get even better."

Bennett said: "Mick has done very well since he arrived. He's helped me to stabilise things and it's going quite well, the results show that."

Bennett and Tait spent yesterday preparing for the away game at Mansfield tomorrow and there is a possibility that central defender David Brightwell will return to the squad after a groin injury suffered at Exeter last week.

"Out of the injured players David is the only one who has got a chance of playing on Saturday," said Bennett. "He'll have a fitness test later on today and we'll make our minds up whether he can travel.

However, the former Hull player might not return automatically to the starting line-up.

"Adam Reed has replaced him since the Exeter game and he's done quite well," said Bennett. "Adam might keep his place on Saturday, but we are going to need every available player over the next couple of weeks."

Wing-back Steve Harper, who was suffering from a sickness bug on Tuesday night, has now recovered and will be ready to face one of his old clubs.

Meanwhile, Raine has paid tribute to dedicated supporter Gordon Soulsby, who sadly died last weekend.

"Gordon was a very devoted supporter who watched the team all over the country. He will be a massive loss."

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