Darlington manager Gary Bennett is trying to bring striker James Coppinger back to Feethams on loan.

Coppinger moved to Newcastle United with Paul Robinson in a big money deal near the end of the 1997-98 season, without having played a first team game for Quakers.

And the first time most Darlington fans saw him play was when he turned out against Quakers while on loan at Hartlepool in the 1-1 Division Three derby last Easter Monday.

Coppinger's loan period at Victoria Park ended when Pool's interest in the play offs finished - he played in the first-leg at Victoria Park but was not included in the second leg - and has impressed Newcastle boss Bobby Robson enough to be offered a new three year deal at St James Park.

Bennett doesn't know if he'll be able to bring the youngster back for tomorrow's all-ticket derby at Victoria Park, but said: "He is somebody who we can take into consideration. He has been one of the people I've been chasing over the last few days.

"We know that we have no chance of getting him on a permanent basis, but we can offer him the chance to get some games under his belt.

"He started his career at Darlington and I believe that he will be keen to come back, albeit for a short period of time. He could be a good acquisition.

"Bobby Robson is saying that he could do with some more experience. He learned a lot when he was on loan at Hartlepool last season, so hopefully he can gain some more with us."

Even if Bennett is unable to clinch his first loan signing of the season before the weekend, Coppinger would come in useful for a hectic spell of matches coming up over the next month, as Quakers have two midweek games in the second half of the month, at home to Kidderminster and away to Cardiff.

There was good news yesterday for Bennett on the injury front.

Defender Gary Himsworth is steadily recovering from a back injury and looks likely to play, as are fellow defenders Craig Liddle and Neil Aspin, as well as striker Jesper Hjorth. However, Ton Kaak is still out with a groin injury.

And Bennett could give Brian Atkinson a surprise recall. "Brian might be on the bench. He had 90 minutes with the reserves on Wednesday, and came through well.''

l Under-pressure Huddersfield boss Steve Bruce will be desperate to break his side's duck at home as derby rivals Barnsley head for the McAlpine Stadium tonight.

There will be more than just Yorkshire pride on the line as the Terriers go in search of a first point on their own patch since April 8.

Town go into the game lying 22nd in the Division One table, and Bruce knows that some return for their efforts is essential. ''It's going to be a big test for us against Barnsley and we need everyone firing on all cylinders,'' he said.

Barnsley boss Dave Bassett will be without Darren Barnard.