DARLINGTON'S goalkeeping jinx has struck again after Kasper Schmeichel returned to Manchester City yesterday nursing an ankle injury.

In a freak accident, the 19-year-old Dane, who made his debut in Saturday's 2-1 win over Peterborough, turned awkwardly on his ankle, while playing badminton before training at Darlington's Durham-based headquarters yesterday.

Schmeichel, son of former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter, has been sent back to Manchester for treatment and is facing a race to be fit in time to face Grimsby Town tonight.

Hodgson was last night lining up a possible replacement for Schmeichel, should the teenager be ruled out.

If Schmeichel is missing, Quakers will field their sixth different goalkeeper of the season.

First choice Sam Russell is scheduled to return next week, while Bert Bossu faces another month on the sidelines with a broken foot. David Knight played just three games on-loan, before returning to Middlesbrough with a hip injury. It was following a knock at Notts County that Knight was replaced at half-time by midfielder Phil Stamp.

"It's becoming a bit of a joke," bemoaned Hodgson. "I thought we were over the worst and then this happens.

"He went over on his ankle playing badminton before training, which says it all really. When it comes to keepers we have been jinxed this season."

Hodgson has all but ruled Lafferty out of tonight's rearranged clash after the on-loan Burnley striker suffered a dead leg against Peterborough on Saturday.

And, with Akpo Sodje serving the final game of a three-match ban, Hodgson was last night weighing up yet another loan move.

"We don't think Kyle is going to be fit in time, which is a huge blow," admitted Hodgson. "We're allowed to have five loan players in at the same time, so bringing in temporary cover is an option."

Simon Johnson is one alternative Hodgson could turn to, but, with Neil Wainwright still sidelined with a hamstring injury, the former Leeds striker will be needed in midfield.

With Shelton Martis available after a one-match ban, Hodgson looks set to revert to three central defenders for the visit of second-placed Grimsby.

Quakers extended their unbeaten run on home soil to eight games following Saturday's 2-1 win over Peterborough. The last time they went nine or more games without loss at home was during the 1999/00 season when they were undefeated in 22 meetings at Feethams, before going on to reach the Third Division play-off final.

"It's a nice statistic to be associated with and we must do everything to ensure it doesn't end here," said Hodgson.

"Grimsby are second in the league and we know that they are going to give us a good run for our money."

Quakers would claim only their second double of the season with victory over the Mariners, having won 1-0 at Blundell Park in August.

John McDermott could be on the Grimsby bench after missing six games with an ankle injury.

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