DARLINGTON open their League Two season at Rushden and Diamonds this afternoon with manager David Hodgson demanding nothing but the best from his new-look side over the next 46 games.

Inconsistency effectively cost Quakers at least a play-off place last season - the ability to beat Yeovil one week and lose to Kidderminster the next was a trend which epitomised a campaign which promised so much yet delivered so little.

Hodgson knows that if his side are to achieve a top-seven finish this time around such failings have to be eradicated.

In addressing last season's problems, Hodgson has made brave wholesale changes during the summer, replacing ageing former Premiership stars with new, young talent.

Only the coming weeks will tell whether the Quakers' boss has built a squad capable of maintaining a foothold at the top of League Two.

"We know the importance of starting well but we must sustain that throughout the season," said Hodgson. "We might not be able to control some results but we can control a good level of performance on a consistent basis."

On the evidence of Quakers' pre-season preparations, Hodgson believes he has seen enough to suggest he has the players to perform accordingly.

He said: "What we have taken from pre-season is a group of players who are working together as a unit really well and that has shown in every game.

"I am pleased with the attitude we've shown in playing Leeds one day and Durham another. Last season we struggled to adjust between the teams at the top and those at the bottom.

"If we can address that inconsistency against the lesser sides then we'll win an awful lot more games this season."

While last season's eighth-place finish exceeded most expectations, Hodgson is setting his sights higher this time around.

"Last season I told the chairman that we would finish in the top ten, which we did," said Hodgson. "Any fan would have been happy with that at the beginning of the season.

"Our target is to better last year and right now these players will finish with at least a place in the play-offs at the end of the season."

Optimism stems from the immediate impact made by new boy Simon Johnson, who will partner Clyde Wijnhard in attack this afternoon, as well as the return to fitness of defender Joey Hutchinson after a cruciate knee ligament injury. Hutchinson will make his first start in 11 months alongside Matt Clarke.

Just 12 months after Clarke was told he can leave the club amid interest from Notts County, Hodgson believes his new skipper has a big part to play this season.

"I hope it's not a false dawn and Matt goes on to have another great season," said Hodgson. "He's taken the captain's armband with professionalism and maturity.

"He is rising above everything at the moment and he's starting to take a grasp of responsibility on the training ground. He will wear that armband for as long as he maintains that standard he has set. Matt has been a massive plus for us this summer."

Dutchman Shelton Martis will make his Quakers debut at right-back.

David Duke misses out as the full-back serves the final game of a three-match ban after being sent off in his final appearance for Swindon in April.

Carlos Logan looks set to make his Quakers bow on the left of midfield.

Winger Neil Wainwright is available after recovering from a calf problem, while Clark Keltie (knee) and Brian Close (ankle) remain sidelined.

Dan Chillingworth, who made five appearances on loan at Darlington in 2001, makes his Rushden debut after joining on a free transfer from Cambridge.

Diamonds boss Barry Hunter is without influential winger Andy Burgess (broken leg) and Drewe Broughton (knee), while skipper Dave Savage and midfielder Neil McCafferty faces late fitness tests.

Rushden ended last season just one place above the relegation zone. However, after strengthening his squad with the arrivals of Chillingworth, Neil McCafferty from Charlton, striker Greg Pearson from West Ham and England Under-20s goalkeeper Jamie Young on loan from Reading, Hunter is in confident mood.

While realising the quality in Hodgson's squad, Hunter has warned his side will be no pushovers.

"They have a good look throughout their squad and David Hodgson has made some very good signings during the summer," said Hunter. "They did well last season and were unlucky to miss out, so they'll be keen to make an immediate impact. But I can assure they won't get any change from us.

"Darlington are going to be one of those sides surrounded by a great deal of expectation, like Oxford, Wycombe and Northampton. The good thing for us is that there is no pressure."

Read more about the Quakers here.