French winger Xavier Barrau yesterday joined Darlington after impressing manager Dave Penney during a trial spell.

The left-sided midfielder twice played for the reserves, including Tuesday's game with York, in which he scored a header, and has signed a contract until January.

With Martin Smith sidelined until around Christmas, Barrau will provide competition on the left-wing for Chris Palmer, who is also with the club until January after signing on loan from Wycombe Wanderers.

Barrau, 25, ended last season with Bradford City, where he scored two goals on the final day of the season against Millwall before being released in the summer.

Having started his career at Walsall, Barrau has had a chequered career which has taken in spells in his homeland with Lyon and Viry-Chatillon before joining Scottish side Airdrie United last September, where he scored twice in 14 appearances.

In March this year he joined Bradford but made just three appearances, two as sub, and left the club on a free transfer.

Barrau is Penney's 13th signing since the end of last season and he said: "I have liked what I've seen of Xavier, who's a natural left-footer, in training and in the reserve games he's played.

"We were still a little light on the left-hand side and, with Martin Smith out until Christmas, Xavier will give us extra competition for places."

The transfer window closes at midnight tomorrow but clubs are still permitted to make loan signings after that deadline and Penney hopes loanee Ian Miller will stay with the club..

The centre-back has started just one game since joining from Ipswich Town at the beginning of the month and Penney yesterday discussed the situation with Tractor Boys boss Jim Magilton.

One factor which could threaten Quakers' hopes of signing Miller for a third time, having also had him on loan last season, is that Ipswich's move for Spanish centre-back Cesar Navas collapsed yesterday.

But Penney is determined to ensure Miller, who played for Darlington's reserves on Tuesday, stays with the club until at least January although would prefer him to stay even longer.

Lee Bullock will today exit Hartlepool United and sign for Mansfield Town.

The midfielder has yet to appear for Pools this season and will move to Field Mill on an initial month-long loan deal with a view to a permanent transfer.

Stags boss Billy Dearden said: "He's got the experience and has an eye for goal and likes to get forward.

"He's scored one or two goals in his career. He gives us an extra dimension in the middle of the park."