IT will be a case of out with the old, in with the new at Macclesfield Town this afternoon - and manager David Hodgson is backing Tresor Kandol to eclipse Darlington reject Clyde Wijnhard at the Moss Rose Ground.

Given Wijnhard's acrimonious Quakers exit six weeks ago, Hodgson accepts that all pre-match talk will surround the enigmatic Dutchman.

But, in Kandol, the man who ended Hodgson's search for Wijnhard's replacement last week, the Quakers boss predicts his new striker will dominate post-match discussion.

"TK will score the winner, come off the pitch and there won't be a second thought for Clyde," said Hodgson.

And, with the visit of Rushden & Diamonds next weekend, Hodgson expects a similar outcome for another former Quakers striker, Alun Armstrong.

Hodgson added: "TK will score the winner against Rushden, come off the pitch and there won't be a second thought for Alun either."

Once upon a time, a strike pairing of Wijnhard and Armstrong would have struck fear into any League Two defence.

But, while injury curtailed Armstrong's attempt to kick-start his career back in the North-East last season, Wijnhard's fate has been far less innocent.

The 32-year-old ended last season as Quakers' top scorer with 15 goals.

And, despite scoring on the opening day of the current campaign at Rushden, Wijnhard failed to find the net in his next eight appearances.

But it was Wijnhard's off-the-field behaviour which proved most disconcerting for Hodgson. In what was effectively his last game for the club, Wijnhard failed to board the team bus after a goalless draw at Northampton. Among other incidents, the former Leeds United striker was also involved in a training ground bust-up with goalkeeper Bert Bossu.

After several warnings over his conduct, Wijnhard's contract was eventually terminated for a "serious repeated breach of club rules" last month.

"I was disappointed with the way things worked out but I have no qualms with Clyde," insisted Hodgson.

"From Monday to Friday he was the perfect professional on the training ground.

"There were just other areas we had no control over.

"Unfortunately, in the end, we felt that we were left with little choice but to let Clyde go."

Despite the circumstances, Hodgson generously retained Wijnhard's registration details to allow the player to join another club on loan until the full transfer window re-opens in January.

Today Wijnhard, who was in the stands to watch Quakers' 1-1 draw with Wycombe seven days ago, will be allowed to face his former employers for the first time.

"We could have told Macclesfield not to play him but that wouldn't have been fair," said Hodgson. "I hope Clyde goes on to prove that we were wrong to sack him, but obviously not on Saturday!"

Kandol may have drawn a blank on his debut last week but Hodgson has already seen enough to suggest the Dagenham & Redbridge striker is the man to deliver the goals.

Dagenham have put a £50,000 asking price on Kandol and the 24-year-old will be hoping to justify his value this afternoon.

"Now that he's had another week getting to know the lads I'm sure we'll see a lot more of what TK can do on Saturday," said Hodgson.

With Akpo Sodje facing a late fitness test on a thigh strain, Hodgson has yet to decide on who will link up with Kandol in attack. Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu is available after suspension and stands by to replace Sodje.

Defender Joey Hutchinson has failed to recover from a calf problem in time, meaning Hodgson is likely to go with a flat back four as Quakers go in search of only their second away win of the season. Brian Close could be drafted in for his first start of the season at right-back, while winger Carlos Logan is vying for a place in the starting XI after coming on as a substitute against Wycombe.

Midfielder Clark Keltie serves a one-match ban after his sending off seven days ago.

Quakers now have four points to make up on the top seven after surrendering the lead against Wycombe.

Tommy Mooney's strike cancelled out Simon Johnson's deflected effort and Hodgson admitted: "Wycombe were the best side to play us for a long time, but there was little separating us."

While Hodgson recognises the danger of Wijnhard, the return of Jon Parkin is another potential threat - his 26 goals last season helped Macclesfield to a play-off place before they were beaten in the semi-final by Lincoln City.

Read more about the Quakers here.