CLARK Keltie has endured his fair share of setbacks in recent months, but the midfielder has been told he has nothing to prove by Darlington manager Dave Penney.

The Quakers boss insists the Newcastle-born player still has a major role to play for the club, despite losing the club captaincy and his recent injury problems.

Keltie missed the last seven games of last season after breaking his hand against Hartlepool.

And following the summer arrival of Steve Foster, Keltie was forced to relinquish the Darlington captaincy to the former Scunthorpe skipper.

The 24-year-old then underwent a double hernia operation and he was forced to miss Darlington's entire pre-season programme.

And on returning to training last month, he suffered another blow when he injured his ankle.

But, after returning to training this week, Keltie last night received words of encouragement from his manager.

"We all know what Keltie is all about and he has absolutely nothing to prove to me," said Penney.

"It's been a difficult time for him, but he's back in training now and I'm sure he'll be determined to get back in the side."

Penney does not feel his decision to strip Keltie of the leadership is detrimental to the players ability, insisting Foster - a former skipper under Penney at Doncaster - was more suitable for the role.

He said: "I know he (Keltie) can play football and that has never been an issue. I just don't think he was a leader of men, certainly not at this stage of his career.

"He might be ready when he is a bit older but leaders of men are different from good footballers. It's not always the best footballer who gets the best out of people.

"As we can see Steve Foster is a good footballer, but also a very good leader. He can get the best out of the players around him and organise the team etc."

Despite returning to training this week, Keltie will not be considered for tomorrow's 1pm clash at Rotherham United.

Scott Wiseman and Neil Austin are also back in training but the trip to Millmoor has come too soon for the pair.