Darlington chairman George Reynolds last night told fans that he believes star striker Marco Gabbiadini will be going to Northampton next month.

Gabbiadini's contract with Quakers ends in a fortnight's time and there are a host of clubs chasing him from both the Second and Third divisions as well as the Scottish Premier League.

But Reynolds told fans he is convinced Gabbiadini is going to Northampton, who leap-frogged Quakers for an automatic promotion spot in the dying weeks of the season.

"We believe that he has agreed a pre-contract with Northampton," said Reynolds. "We made him an unbeatable offer which would have doubled his wages at Darlington. But we think he used that offer as a leverage.

"I have asked the Northampton chairman at the Football League meeting at the weekend, but he said they haven't. We still have a 12-month option with Gabbiadini which was sent by recorded delivery, but he says he hasn't received it."

Quakers are expected to formally announced their retained list later in the week. There was a report yesterday that manager David Hodgson had announced that 12 players were being freed, but the club denied that anything had been decided.

Public relations director Luke Raine said: "The retained list hasn't been compiled yet. Monday was David Hodgson's first day back from his holidays. The manager has said that when he decides to publish the list he will tell the players concerned first which is only right and proper.

"We are concerned that some people may get the wrong impression from this report."

Meanwhile, the formal turf cutting ceremony for the new ground which was due to take place today, has been postponed until next month.

Reynolds last night announced a 40 per cent increase in ticket prices - but Quakers will still be among the cheapest in the League.

Season tickets in the East Stand will rise from £118 to £195 for adults and from £70 to £120 for concessions. Tickets on the terraces will rise from £95 to £135 for adults and £45 to £75 for concessions. And prices on the day for all areas of the ground will increase by at least £1.

"The club must stand on its own feet and break even," said Reynolds. "I put in £150,000 per month to keep this club going last season and it can't keep going like that. I don't like price increases, but we will take these prices into the new stadium.''