DAVID Hodgson hopes to get a positive reaction from Clyde Wijnhard after substituting the Darlington striker at half-time on Saturday, writes Lee Hall.

Hodgson felt Wijnhard was far from his best in the first half of Quakers' 1-0 defeat against Leyton Orient and decided to replace the 31-year-old with Akpo Sodje at the break.

Ironically, it was at Orient last season that Wijnhard was dragged off after just 31 minutes following an indifferent display.

Wijnhard went on to score six goals in his last seven games after his appearance at Brisbane Road, and Hodgson will hope Saturday's ticking off will have a similar effect.

"I don't really think Simon Johnson had a great deal of help from Clyde," said Hodgson.

"I was disappointed with Clyde's contribution and that's why I took him off.

"We were getting caught offside far too often, which didn't allow us to really get hold of the ball up front.

"We brought Clyde off against Orient last season and it's amazing that we've done the game again this time around.

"Obviously it's disappointing for Clyde to come off, but hopefully that will make him more determined to do well next time.

"This is a very big season for him and he knows that. Now he needs to start showing how much doing well matters to him."

Hodgson introduced home debutant Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu for the last quarter-of-an-hour on Saturday to form a three-pronged attack alongside Sodje and Johnson.

But it was Sodje who should have rescued a point for Quakers when he squandered a good opportunity to score late on.

"We put three up front in the end and we managed to get them on the back foot to some extent," said Hodgson.

"Sodje is always going to cause problems, but unfortunately he wasn't composed in front of goal. He could have had himself at least one goal."

Slovenian winger Ales Mejac will begin a trial with Quakers this morning.

The 22-year-old has been recommended to Darlington by an agent after leaving NK Mura. Mejac has represented his country at B and Under-21 level.

Hodgson would like to add a winger to his squad as cover for Carlos Logan and Neil Wainwright.

Read more about the Quakers here.