DARLINGTON manager Gary Bennett is hoping that the Feethams injury crisis will ease before Quakers set off for Exeter this morning.

Bennett, who went into the Chesterfield game on Tuesday without three injured players, has midfielder Martin Gray and striker John Williams on the treatment table. But he won't know if they're fit until tomorrow morning at their Devon hotel.

"We're hoping that the injuries will clear up a little bit," he said.

"We've lost Gary Himsworth for two or three weeks, and Jesper Hjorth has an ankle injury.

"Martin Gray picked up a nasty kick on his foot in the first half on Tuesday, while John Williams has recovered from a toe injury but still has a hamstring problem.

"The injury to Paul Heckingbottom is the one that is bothering me most. He missed Tuesday because of a stomach injury, and that meant we were without two players who could play at left back.

"I put Glenn Naylor there, but that's not his position. We need to have Paul fit so the side has balance."

The game at St James's Park looks certain to go ahead tomorrow, despite snow and frost in the south west.

The pitch was frozen yesterday morning, but had thawed by midday. The situation has brought back memories of two years ago, when Quakers' home game against Exeter was postponed four times because of snow and ice.

"We want the game to go-ahead tomorrow," said Bennett. "We don't want to be going down there in midweek."

Quakers have two more games to play in the South-West this season. Their next away League game on January 13 is at Plymouth, while they are due at Torquay for a midweek game in early March.