DARLINGTON will include former Middlesbrough Academy graduate Gary Smith among a list of up to 12 new recruits that will be revealed tomorrow.

Colin Todd, the Quakers manager, will parade all of the players he has already verbally agreed terms with at The Northern Echo Darlington Arena before the first day of pre-season training.

Released by Brentford at the end of last season, Smith has emerged as one of the players lined up by Todd.

Carlisle duo Jeff Smith and Chris Lumsdon along with Sheffield United full-back Ben Staroster have also been recruited.

And with former Hull striker Dean Windass installed to play as well as coach, Todd is more than happy with his transfer business so far.

Todd is also interested in Michael Bridges although the ex-Leeds and Sunderland man is not expected to be included in the initial pool of 17 players when training starts tomorrow.

Only Ian Miller and Steve Foster of last season’s first team senior squad are still at the club following administration.

“There are agreements in place for players but we have to be right out of administration before they can officially sign,” said Todd, who will promote Curtis Main, Josh Gray, Danny Groves and Dan Riley from the youth ranks. “But we have to prepare for this preseason like any other.

“There are procedures that have to take place but the next big one for us is to make sure we get the message across to the fans that we are nearly out of this mess. They have to know things are being done correctly and they are.

“There are players like Gary Smith that we have mentioned.

I have a list of players in mind and on Thursday certain things will become clearer.”

Smith returns to his North- East roots five years after leaving hometown club Middlesbrough to join MK Dons.

He became infamous, however, for the tackle that broke former Manchester United player Ben Collett’s right leg back in May 2003. Collett was awarded £4.3m in damages.

But the 25-year-old is confident of reviving his career after overcoming the ankle problem that sidelined him last season.

“I ended up being out for months and I was forced to have an operation,” said Smith. “Then I couldn’t get back in the team because we were flying at the top of the league.

“I’m 25 now and I haven’t yet had a full season. The most important thing is to get back to play week in and week out. I’m sure I’ll be able to do a good job for somebody.”