JUST when David Hodgson thought things couldn't get any worse, the Darlington manager was last night facing up to the fact that Brian Close faces three months on the sidelines.

The 23-year-old has been told by a specialist that the ankle injury, which ruled the Irishman out of the beginning of the season, would require another operation.

The news comes just days after Hodgson learnt he would be without Sam Russell and David Duke for six weeks.

Close underwent surgery during the summer on his ankle and only recently made his first appearance of the season against Wycombe.

However, Hodgson was dissatisfied with the way Close was recovering and sent the former Middlesbrough trainee for a scan, where the full extent of the injury was discovered.

The reforming of a bone on Close's ankle has calcified and has caused unease since the player returned to competitive action last month.

"Brian is the type of player who will tell you he is OK when he isn't," said Hodgson. "I could see that he had a slight hobble in training and, after speaking to the physio, we sent him to a specialist for a scan.

"I had the same injury when I was a player and it's horrendous. It's another massive blow for us and for Brian.

"He has worked very hard on getting his fitness back up to scratch but now it looks as though we'll be without him for another large chunk of the season."

Russell and Duke have begun rehabilitation and are unlikely to play again until the new year. Russell sustained a hairline fracture of the fibula after an accidental training ground clash with teammate Tresor Kandol last week, while Duke picked up a groin injury in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Rushden.

Kandol is due to return to Dagenham & Redbridge when his loan spell expires at the end of the month. And, while the 24-year-old has yet to score in three appearances, it is understood a permanent deal will be agreed in January.

With no game today, Hodgson will watch Martin Gray's youth-team take on Huddersfield Town in the second round of the FA Youth Cup this afternoon (1pm).

"Martin has some excellent lads and it's important that they continue to knock on the first-team door," said Hodgson, who has included youth-team players Shaun Reay, Nathan Wright, Gavin Parkin and Andrew McLeod in first-team squads this season.

"It's good to give the young lads some experience with the first-team," added Hodgson.

"Shaun Reay (a striker) has caught my eye this season among some other very good young players."

Darlington will travel to Leicester City in the third round if they beat Huddersfield.

Northallerton winger Karl Charlton, 17, is on trial with the club and will start this afternoon.

"Huddersfield are Academy status and they will give us a good game," said Gray. "Hopefully, with the first team not playing, there will be a good turnout for our lads."

Tickets are £1 concessions and £3 adults.

DARLINGTON: Wright, Casson, Janes, Pattison, Clarke, Lawson, Tait, Hughes, Charlton, Reay, Logan.

* Mansfield booked their place in the FA Cup third round with a 3-0 home victory over Nationwide Conference leaders Grays Athletic.

Port Vale and Bristol Rovers must replay after sharing two goals at Vale Park.

The visitors, from League Two, took the lead through Alistair Gibb's effort but Leon Constantine equalised.

Read more about the Quakers here.