DARLINGTON skipper Clark Keltie will this morning tell manager Dave Penney he is available to face Shrewsbury Town tomorrow, despite admitting he is still feeling the effects of the virus which has decimated the squad.

Keltie is one of nine first-team players who have been struck down, and 15 were ruled out of the Boxing Day game against Mansfield Town as Quakers succumbed to their sixth straight defeat.

Those who have been laid low by the bug have been told to stay at home this week, including Keltie.

Keltie, 23, and the rest of the squad will return to training this morning for a head count.

The midfielder said: "It's not ideal, but I will be at the training ground as normal and I will tell the manager that I can play.

"I'm not sure how the rest of the lads are because we've all been told to stay away until Friday.

"I'm nowhere near fit but I feel a lot better than I was."

On Christmas Day that the Football League turned down Darlington's request to have the Mansfield game postponed.

Chief executive Jon Sotnick said: "The League informed us that they don't allow games to be postponed through illness.

"It's very frustrating for our fans, who turned up to watch a game which was not League Two standard."

Keltie is desperate to play his part as Darlington look to halt their slump. They are now eight points outside the play-offs.

"I've never known a Christmas like this - it's the worst I've ever had," he admitted.

"It's absolutely crazy that we've gone from six wins to six defeats, but Saturday's game is a good opportunity for us."