Darlington last night revealed they are tracking former England international Chris Waddle and his Worksop Town teammate Kirk Jackson.

Waddle, 40, say Quakers, is wanted to add some experience to the side while 40-goal striker Jackson almost came to Feethams earlier in the season but personal terms could not be agreed.

At a supporters' meeting in Newton Aycliffe last night Luke Raine said: "We are talking to Chris Waddle to come as a player to the club, not on the coaching side.

"We need to generate some interest and we think he could do a good job for us with his experience."

However, Darlington may have to wait to secure the services of the pair as Worksop want to keep them as long as they are in the FA Trophy and the UniBond League side don't play their quarter final tie until next month.

Meanwhile Darlington and Hartlepool could both benefit from the FA investigation in alleged financial irregularities at third division leaders Chesterfield.

Chesterfield have been summoned to appear in front of the Football Association regarding alleged financial irregularities, one of which surrounds the transfer of Luke Beckett from Chester City.

If Chesterfield are found guilty by the FA, then it is understood that if they decide Beckett is an ineligible player, one of their options could be to deduct the points from all of the games he has played in.

Beckett has been almost an ever present this season and scored 15 goals. When he has been in the team, Chesterfield have amassed 66 points out of their current total of 77.

Based on the current table, that would mean Chesterfield would drop to the bottom of the table with 11 points, 21 behind Quakers, and Pool would move into the automatic promotion spots.

A more likely option is for the FA to prevent the club from being promoted - and again, that could open the door for Pool.

Darlington manager Gary Bennett said: "We're not thinking about what might happen to Chesterfield.

"I'd rather think about what we're doing, and that we can get out of trouble ourselves.

"If we can get three or four points out of our next two games, then things look a lot better for us."

Pool chief Turner reiterated: "We can't rely on whatever action the FA make, all we have to do is to concentrate on our own form. We are in tremendous form at the moment and I want to keep that going. ''

Darlington's second string are at Wigan this afternoon, and will include former Newcastle keeper Peter Keen, who is Carlisle's third choice, in their line up.

Quakers are set to be without second choice Frank Van Der Geest for the rest of the season because of a back injury, and Bennett said: "We have Keith Finch, who is a good keeper, but we need somebody with experience as back up, just in case anything happens to Andy Collett."

Full back Paul Heckingbottom is due to visit a specialist today about his groin injury, but Bennett doesn't expect to have him back for Saturday's crunch game at Carlisle.

Bennett is still looking for cover at full back and the centre of midfield because of the injury crisis, and hasn't ruled out the possibility of loan signings.

l Pool chief Turner is backing first-choice goalkeeper Anthony Williams to catch the eye of Wales manager Mark Hughes.

Williams has a record number of caps for the Welsh under-21 side and has been in impressive form since his switch from Blackburn last summer.

And Turner said: "Anthony has been in great form lately. Martin Hollund started off the season well, but was unfortunately injured and he has only been able to watch Anthony make a big impression.

"We have two very good goalkeepers at the club. I don't think that Wales have an abundance of quality goalkeepers and Anthony is top-class.

"He has represented his country and he is in the system - people know what he can do.'