DARLINGTON'S virus-stricken squad returned to training yesterday and, while many are still feeling the effects of flu, manager Dave Penney hopes to have most of his players available for today's visit of Shrewsbury Town.

After a head count only Craig James was sent home from training yesterday as the Quakers squad reassembled following a two-day break.

Darlington's players have been laid low by the mystery bug which many, it is thought, contracted it on the journey back from Wrexham on December 23.

Penney had 15 players ruled out of the Boxing Day defeat at home to Mansfield Town and last night revealed that only five players have not been laid low by the virus.

But, after the squad trained for the first time since the Mansfield defeat, Penney's selection problems have eased.

However, the Quakers boss' major concern is that the starting XI he assembles today will face an uphill task against a Shrewsbury side that has been able to train all week.

"We're a lot better but there are still only five who have no symptoms at all," said Penney.

"Some are just in the infancy of a cold and some are just finishing it, but everyone has trained today.

"There's a lot of coughing and spluttering about. We closed the club down on Wednesday and Thursday and everyone has come back a lot brighter and a lot fresher.

"There was only Craig James who went home ill.

"Obviously, a lot can change between now and the game but I'm pleased that most of the lads were able to train. We'll try to pick the 11 fittest players when we see who comes in.

"There's nothing we can do about it and we have to get through it as best we can.

"I think a lot of clubs are struggling all over the country but I think ours is more serious because we were all on the coach back from Wrexham together."

Penney's case has not been helped by the closure of the transfer window, which is due to re-open on January 1.

He said: "It's killed us really. We had a virtually fully fit squad and we won six games. The window shut on November 23, which is the first time I've seen it happen - you're usually allowed loan signings up until January 1.

"Then Sam Russell breaks his leg, we lose Darren Holloway for a month, so Mark Albrighton came in and he gets injured."

"All of a sudden we're light and this latest incident has just kicked us when we're down."

After winning his first six games as Quakers boss, Penney's decimated squad have since lost their last six and, given the circumstances, avoiding a seventh defeat would be an achievement this afternoon.

"It's up to us to try to motivate them," said Penney. "Training has been nice and bright today. We worked on a few things that disappointed us on Saturday, like the goals we conceded.

"If it had been a company I think it would have been closed with the illnesses we've had, but fair play to the players because they went out on Saturday when they should have been in bed."

Despite Darlington's current predicament, Penney sees it as no excuse for his players to take a defeatist attitude.

"People can feel sorry for themselves, but you've got to pick yourself up and look for a result," said the former Doncaster Rovers boss.

"If we haven't got more energy levels than we did on Tuesday then we are going to struggle.

"Mansfield were quicker, fitter, stronger than us and that's the reason they won the game."

Skipper Clark Keltie has declared himself available, despite admitting he is not yet fully fit after illness, while Neil Wainwright is expected to play some part after recovering from a groin problem.

However, both David Duke (groin) and Simon Johnson (back) are ruled out through injury, while Albrighton faces a late fitness test after playing 45 minutes against Mansfield after returning to the side following a hamstring injury.

Youngsters Josh Wright and Sean Reay are both included in the squad after making their professional debuts against Mansfield.

"We are down to the bare minimum and the supporters need to get behind us on Saturday," said Penney.

"They are paying good money to come and watch a first-team game, hence the reason why we tried to get the game on Boxing Day called off because we knew it was never going to be that.

"It's important that if we are struggling the supporters help the players get through this."

Paul Ince has sparked a major revival for Macclesfield as manager and from next week he will also be able to influence their relegation battle on the pitch.

The 39-year-old played for Swindon after the transfer deadline so has been ineligible to play for Macclesfield.

But Ince will be available from January 1.