PAUL Heckingbottom is ready to upset one of his pals today and help Darlington revive their season.

The left-back is set to return against Halifax Town at Feethams today after a six-week absence with a groin injury.

That could mean a testing battle against Neil Wainwright, who played with Heckingbottom at both Sunderland and Darlington.

The flying winger, who enjoyed a successful loan spell at Feethams last season, yesterday signed to stay with Halifax for a further two months on loan and Heckingbottom said: "On his day he can cause any defence problems, whatever the league.

"He is quick and lively and gets a great ball into the box. We all know what he can do after his time here while I have known him since our days together at Sunderland.

"I would rather be playing with him than against him, especially after six weeks out, but I am looking forward to it.

"It has been disappointing to be out for so long and I want to play my part again. I feel I am ready if the manager wants me.

"It will be a good battle against Waino' and I won't mind upsetting him because we need the win."

Today's clash also brings Heckingbottom and Quakers boss Gary Bennett up against another ex-Sunderland teammate, Paul Bracewell, who is in charge of Halifax.

Bracewell is looking for his side to build on last week's 3-1 home win over Exeter City - their first victory of the season. And 23-year-old Heckingbottom said: "He will have got them sorted out now after all their problems and they will be organised and fired-up.

"That win will have given them confidence and they will want to keep that going.

"We want to pick things up as well after our recent run. We have done well but can't seem to get the wins. It's been frustrating, but we have to keep going because we know we are as good as the top teams in this division.

"We have played them and it's been close and that should be a good sign. We are just losing these tight games and have to turn that around."

Manager Bennett is confident his players will come through their recent sticky patch as he added: "We have been playing well and not getting the rewards.

"We have dominated games but haven't been scoring and it's cost us.

"It's something I hope will change quickly and we can get going again.

"We know where we have been going wrong and what we have to do. Now it's up to us to do it.

"We know it's not going to be easy against Halifax though. Brace' has always been a good professional and he will have them organised and well-prepared.

"They will also be looking to go on a run now after that win last week. Their spirits will have been lifted and we have to guard against that.

"They have brought in some good players and they will be trying to get away from near the bottom of the table."

Bennett will wait until the last minute before finalising his team with midfielder Thomas Butler, extending his loan from Sunderland yesterday for another month, suffering with illness.

Heckingbottom is likely to replace Jordan Tait, with Bennett adding: "We have missed Paul. He was flying before his injury and the defence was doing really well.

"They had a great understanding and weren't conceding many goals.

"Now we have to get back to being solid like that. I believe we can and the players have to stay positive and keep working hard."

Halifax signed Blackburn centre-back Steve Hawe yesterday on a long-term loan deal, but the Irishman might have to settle for a place on the bench.

Paul Stoneman returns from suspension while the Shaymen include talented youngster Stuart Parnaby, who is on loan from Middlesbrough, and Hartlepool United's record signing Gary Jones