COLIN Todd is to be officially unveiled as Darlington's new manager before the end of the week.

The Northern Echo can exclusively reveal that Todd, who has previously managed Middlesbrough and Bolton, has agreed to succeed Dave Penney as Quakers boss.

In a related development, Darlington are now expected to exit administration before the weekend, although the exact details of the club's new ownership structure are yet to be confirmed.

It is, however, expected that former chairman George Houghton will have some role in the new set-up.

In an exclusive Northern Echo interview on May 7, Todd admitted: "I want to get back into the game, I don't know what is happening at Darlington, but I would like to be considered for the vacancy.''

And now, that come and get me plea, has been answered.

Todd has offered Dean Windass a player-coaching role as his number two, but the former Hull and Bradford striker is understood to be considering his options before committing to the project.

Todd has experience of leading a club out of administration, as he succeeded Bryan Robson as Bradford manager at a time when the Bantams only had five full-time professionals on their books.

** READ THE FULL STORY IN TOMORROW'S NORTHERN ECHO **

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