Darlington striker Kevin Kyle is aiming to follow in the footsteps of his Stadium of Light hero Niall Quinn.

Kyle, who is on loan to Quakers from Sunderland, looks upon the towering Irishman as a role model as he tries to work his way up the football ladder.

And the 19-year-old, just like the rest of the Stadium of Light crowd last Monday, was full of admiration for Quinn's commanding display in the 2-0 win against Everton.

"I thought Niall was awesome against Everton," he said. "I hope I can become as good a player as he is.

"I have watched him in games and learned things, such as how he wins the ball in the air.

"He's playing the best football of his career at the moment and the way he's going, that will be a for a while yet."

Ironically, Quinn's form could determine how long Stranraer-born Kyle stays at Feethams.

He's now into his second month on loan and has scored in the last two home games, against Sudbury and Mansfield.

"After I scored on Saturday, my confidence was sky high. Everything I did was coming off - I won all my headers and I was having shots from all distances," he said.

"It really helps playing games on a regular basis. When I was in the youth team at Sunderland last season, I was playing nearly every week, and then coming on as substitute for the reserves.

"But now that I'm too old for the youth team I can only play in the reserves, and reserve games are few and far between. It's the same for Thomas Butler.

"I had a spell on loan at Huddersfield but I didn't watch them beforehand to see how they would play, and in the end it didn't suit me. "I watched Darlington play before I signed and it was clear they wanted someone to cross the ball to so I decided to move here. Darlington's just down the road from my digs, so there was no problem there.

"The manager is trying to get me and Thomas Butler to stay for the rest of the season, but we'll have to wait and see.

"My second month's loan runs out at the end of December, but I want to see what the situation is up at Sunderland and whether I'll get a game there or not.

"I'm really enjoying myself here, and hopefully we can win matches and start going up the league.