Dave Penney has been at the centre of speculation linking him to jobs higher up the Football League, but Darlington chairman George Houghton says the manager is going nowhere - and has even likened him to Sunderland supremo Roy Keane.

After leaving Doncaster Rovers last September he was thought to be interesting several clubs, including Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United, but was appointed Quakers' successor to David Hodgson the following month.

Reports that Leeds are to be subject of a takeover bid have suggested that Castleford-based Penney could be tempted by a switch to Elland Road who were last week relegated to League One.

But Houghton, who has backed Penney with a budget believed to be around 25 per cent higher than last year's, said: "This guy is the right manager for Darlo. He's not going anywhere, Dave knows he can take this club right to the top.

"He is 100 per cent staying here."

Houghton also says Martin Gray is to stay in his position as Penney's assistant. When Penney was appointed, he was expected to offer a backroom position to Mickey Lewis who was his assistant at Doncaster.

But this week Lewis became youth coach at Oxford United, which is where Penney and Lewis first met while players.

Houghton added: "We are very happy with the assistant manager, they have gelled very well. Dave had told me that they are going to stay together."

With both Sunderland and Hartlepool United earning promotion this season, Darlington's failure to reach the play-offs meant they missed out on the opportunity to make it a North-East hat-trick.

But Houghton, who compares Penney to Keane, says he is not envious of Quakers' regional rivals, admitting he prefers to see all sides from the area succeed.

He said: "I like all the North-East teams to do well. Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Hartlepool and Darlo, we should be beating the southern teams. I'm like that, I'm a northern guy.

"Let's face it, Hartlepool already had a great team and only had to add three or four players to get them where they are.

"Keane has done a marvellous job for Sunderland, top class, you've got to take your hat off to the guy. And I think Dave Penney is of the same standard to him."

Defender Alan White is set to sign for his home-town club in the next 48 hours.

White has since moved to Peterborough after a bust-up with fans at Meadow Lane but the centre-half is a free agent and is set to be Penney's first new signing as he prepares for next season.

Scott Wiseman, who ended the season on loan at Darlington, has been handed a free by Hull City.