THE lack of a midweek game will give new Darlington manager Steve Staunton opportunity to work on his team’s weaknesses before Saturday’s visit of Shrewsbury Town.

His first fixture in charge at the weekend saw Quakers start promisingly against Dagenham & Redbridge, but with two quick first half goals Darlington collapsed and were thankful that keeper Russell Hoult was able to keep the score down to 2-0.

Having only taken training for the first time on Thursday, Staunton and assistant Kevin Richardson will oversee a full week with the players ahead of this weekend’s visit of Shrewsbury to The Northern Echo Arena.

“From what the boys in the dressing room were saying it was the same old story on Saturday,” said Staunton. “Up until the goal there was nothing in the game, but goals change games.

“Most importantly we have to get in the habit of keeping clean sheets. Start there and you’re giving yourselves a chance.

“We’ve got a week’s training now which will be better because before Saturday we’d only had a day with the lads before we travelled down on Friday.

“There’s no midweek game this week so we’ve got a free week and that will give us chance to try and put some things right.”

Staunton last week signed two players, Noel Whelan and Moses Barnett, and the new manager is hoping to make at least one more addition ahead of Saturday. Hoping to earn a contract is former Derby County defender Richard Jackson who is training with the club this week. The Whitby-born 29- year-old was freed in the summer by Hereford United where he spent last season.

Sierra Leone-born Barnett played on Saturday after agreeing to sign on loan from Everton not much more than 24 hours before kick-off.

Staunton was pleased with his impact, saying: “It was a big ask for him because he only came down on Friday and met the boys for the first time that night at the hotel. “He looked solid and has a good physique about him. He was able to get up and down the pitch and after a week’s training with the lads it will be a lot easier for him against Shrewsbury.” The game with Shrewsbury is the last that Holt, Jamie Devitt and Tony Kane are eligible for during their respective one-month loans so Staunton most decide whether or not to extend their stays. After some disappointing displays at right-back Kane, who did not travel to Dagenham, is expected to return to Carlisle. Following Staunton’s first home game in charge this weekend he has two long-distance away games in consecutive weeks, to Barnet and Hereford, and the following week Quakers will be in the first round of the FA Cup. The draw takes place on the weekend of October 24.