Hard-working Darlington manager Alun Armstrong has drawn a blank in trying to bring in new players this week.

Unbeaten leaders York City visit Blackwell Meadows today and, with striker Tyrone O’Neill sidelined because of a head injury sustained at Gloucester, the manager has been looking for another striker to support leading scorer Adam Campbell.

The Boro loanee joins right back Luke Trotman, midfielder Jamie Holmes and defender David Atkinson on the injured list.

He has contacted several clubs, but has been turned down and drawn a blank.

“I’ve tried to bring players in this week, but even those I’m making enquiries about are either injured or clubs have got other players out injured and they don’t want them to go out on loan,” he said.

“It has been extremely tough this week trying to get players in, but at least we’ve got the two lads back from international duty, which will boost us.

“The injuries mean that we cannot get things ready for a game, because you’re not sure who you’ve got fit and who you haven’t. I’ve never experienced injuries as bad as this before.”

York are unbeaten in ten, and have the best away record in the division of four wins and a draw.

“It’s our hardest game of the season so far, and considering the injuries we have at the moment, maybe York aren’t the team we want to play, considering their league position,’’ reflected Armstrong.

“Hopefully, the crowd will lift our players. I’m disappointed with our performances away from home at the moment, and we can’t seem to get them right.

“Sometimes the away performances haven’t had the same intensity as the home performances. When we play with the intensity that we can do, then I think everyone has seen what we’re capable of. It doesn’t help that I have to keep changing the team because of injuries.

“I know the playing schedule is the same for all teams, but we’ve not had the opportunity to rest any of our players, such as Jordan Watson. We’ve had to keep the same players in there. Hopefully things will settle down and we’ll see the team come together soon.”

Quakers have picked up all but one of their 11 points at Blackwell Meadows, and Armstrong wants his players to reproduce the same form that helped them to a 2-1 win over Blyth in their last home outing.

He added: “I’m disappointed that we’ve drawn one and lost one of our home games, because they were games that we should have won. We have to keep our home form going, especially as our performances away from home haven’t been so good.

“We’ve got to make sure that we win our home games, it doesn’t matter who we’re playing on Saturday.

“Nothing has changed since the start of the season. This is a rebuilding job, which has been made a lot of harder because of what’s happened in the first few weeks of the season.

“We’ll keep plugging away and working extremely hard on the training ground which these lads do, and they’ll give 100 per cent, I’m sure.

“York are bringing a few hundred fans with them, and they’ve got a really good squad. Their manager, Steve Watson, has got them playing some really good football and they’re top for a reason.”

Armstrong is hoping that Michael Liddle will be passed fit, and he could come in at right back, while Bermudan pair Osagi Bascome and Justin Donawa, who have been playing in the Concacaf Nations League, will both in contention. Donawa could replace O’Neill.

Recent signing Ben Hedley will provide cover for Liddle, because Josh Heaton has left the club for Bradford Park Avenue.

“Josh told me that he wanted regular first team football which he feels that he can get at Bradford,” said Armstrong.

York, who are bringing around 700 fans with them this afternoon, have drawn three of their last four matches.

They have been hit by injuries in recent games, with several players carrying knocks, including commanding centre back Steve McNulty, who achieved two successive promotions from the National League to League One with Tranmere.

They include three former Darlington players – keeper Peter Jameson, centre half Joe Tait and left back David Ferguson.