MARK PROCTOR believes a change can go a long way in 'spicing up' a Darlington season he admits has lost its taste in recent weeks.

The Darlington squad travelled to Bristol yesterday ahead of this afternoon's League Two game with managerless Rovers at the Memorial Ground.

While Rovers, who parted company with Ian Atkins on Thursday, have their own problems to contend with after a poor start to the season, Proctor has expressed his concern that Darlington's campaign is in danger of fizzling out.

After last week's capitulation to Oxford United, Darlington lie tenth in League Two following their second defeat of the season.

Manager David Hodgson knows that his side can ill-afford to lose any more ground on their promotion rivals after just nine games.

And today, having vowed to ring the changes after last week's loss, Hodgson will stay true to his word.

The Quakers boss has promised an offensive approach today and his decision to hand Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu a full debut in a three-man attack reflects his intentions.

With three goals in his last four appearances, Ndumbu-Nsungu's call-up may be deserved. Perhaps less expected is the role Joey Hutchinson could assume in midfield. With Matty Appleby struggling with a groin problem, Hutchinson is standing by to sit in front of the back four as a defensive midfielder.

"We have gone a bit stale in the last couple of weeks and I think it's time to spice things up," said Proctor. "I would be the first to admit that we haven't been at our best recently.

"We were sitting pretty in second but, after a couple of indifferent results, we have given ourselves some work to do.

"Having said that, we haven't deserved to lose the games we have this season. We were the better side against Oxford, but they beat us and we only lost to Leyton Orient by a penalty.

"We've spoken about changes in personnel and system this week and we will be going ahead with them at Bristol."

Ndumbu-Nsungu will earn his first start since joining the club on a free transfer during the summer. Proctor admits the emergence of the 22-year-old has made it difficult for the Quakers' coaching staff to ignore him.

He said: "Guy has forced our hand and we've had to find a slot for him. We're caught between the devil and the deep blue sea because there are players who aren't scoring, but still working hard. Then there's Guy who deserves his chance.

"We will just have to wait and see how effective he can be when he starts at Bristol. He's got three goals already and we would be happy with another three on Saturday!"

Ndumbu-Nsungu's inclusion alongside Akpo Sodje and Simon Johnson further demonstrates the attacking options Hodgson has at his disposal.

"There is pressure now and competition for places, which is always nice within the squad," said Proctor. "If they don't perform there is always somebody else waiting to step in.

"It's keeping everyone on their toes, hopefully it also helps us avoid any form of complacency."

And, just 48 hours after Atkins was relieved of his managerial duties at Rovers, Proctor remains wary of the pitfalls this afternoon's clash poses.

Player-coach Paul Trollope has been placed in temporary charge of Rovers' team affairs and Proctor said: "My dad used to say if anyone gets the sack you back the team on the Saturday.

"The players don't know who might be watching from the stand and their mentality is to do well just in case their next manager is sat up there.

"It could galvanise them or it could spill the other way."

* Boston chairman Jon Sotnick believes Steve Evans' position at the club is not under immediate threat despite the Pilgrims' boss facing criminal charges for conspiracy to defraud the public revenue.

Evans is accused with ex-club chairman and owner Pat Malkinson, general manager John Blackwell, former bookkeeper Ian Lee and former accountant Brian James.

Read more about the Quakers here.