Darlington manager Gary Bennett is to ask Sunderland boss Peter Reid about an extension to the loan of midfielder Thomas Butler - but the Irishman might not be able to play in the FA Cup.

Butler has impressed since he moved to Feethams on loan from the Stadium of Light last month, and Bennett wants the youngster as part of his plans as he tries to improve Quakers' mid-table position.

"The wheels are in motion to speak to Peter," said Bennett.

"But at the moment, we are taking it that if Sunderland decide to let us have him for another month, then they will not be prepared to let him, or Kevin Kyle, play for us in the FA Cup against Sudbury in case they need them later in the competition.

"But if Peter says that they can play, then that will be a bonus."

Butler will play against second bottom Halifax on Saturday, providing the saturdated Feethams pitch is given the all-clear.

Bennett's plans to give trialist Steve Woods an outing in a reserve game today have been dampened by the weather.

Quakers were due to give the defender, who can leave Chesterfield on a free transfer, a game at Sheffield United tonight in the Avon Insurance League, but heavy rain has forced the postponement.

Bennett, meanwhile, has been linked with Hull striker Jason Harris, who played for Hull's reserves at Hartlepool last week with Bennett in attendance.

But Bennett said: "We're being linked with players, mainly because I'm being seen at matches here and there. I like to go to a game whenever I can, but that doesn't mean to say I'm trying to sign a player. "

l Former Quakers boss David Hodgson reacted quickly last night to scotch rumours linking him with an emotional return to Feethams, writes ADAM MURRAY.

Hodgson, who quit the club in controversial fashion just days before the season began, dismissed talk that he was involved with a consortium looking to buy the club.

He said: "I've heard a lot of rumours recently, but the plain fact is that nobody can buy out George Reynolds.

"The main thing is that he wouldn't sell because he has that one burning ambition to take Darlington into its new stadium, and up the football league."

While Hodgson refused to rule himself out of football management in the future, he said his first love remained Darlington.

Darlington's Durham Challenge Cup tie with Hebburn at Feethams has been switched to Monday 13th November from Wednesday, kick off 7.30.

The FA Youth Cup tie against York City, which was postponed last night, has been re-arranged for Tuesday 14th November.

l Patrik Berger has been told he is in the best possible hands as he bids to salvage his season following a recurrence of a knee injury.

As Berger's Liverpool teammates head for his Czech Republic homeland in search of European glory this week, the 26-year-old midfielder will fly in the opposite direction across the Atlantic for an operation on his shattered knee