Darlington manager Steve Staunton has confirmed that Noel Whelan will be out of action until at least December after he sustained a hamstring strain on his debut.

The striker, signed on a non-contract basis seven days ago, was helped off the field just over half an hour into his debut at Dagenham & Redbridge last week with a hamstring strain.

Taking into account the time required to build up fitness, Staunton does not expect the 34-year-old to be available before December.

“It’s not has bad as first feared but it’s still going to be three or four weeks, plus the time it takes for him to get match fitness,” he said.

“It’s a blow to the lad, especially as I thought he was excellent last week.

“He provided us with the presence we needed and got hold of the ball. But he’s gone now, we have to look forward to Saturday and we’ve got four or five forwards that can do the job.”

Tomorrow Quakers are at home to Shrewsbury Town so, with Lee Thorpe still sidelined, Whelan’s place in the starting line-up is likely to be taken by Curtis Main or David Dowson, unless Staunton can make a signing today. He is hoping to complete a deal for Crystal Palace’s Simon Thomas who has trained with Darlington this week.

Staunton is reluctant to talk about the possibility of bringing in Thomas or any other potential targets, saying: “We’ve had several names bandied about and we will be looking at players, that’s part and parcel of the job. Simon’s done well so far, we’ll have to see what happens.

“But I can’t comment any further because he’s just training. Hopefully we can get something sorted for him but I can’t say any further than that.”

Although the manager remains tight-lipped on potential incomings, he revealed he will decide tomorrow which of the players approaching the end of their temporary stays he would like to keep.

Staunton could oversee the exit of up to four players this weekend as three loan deals end and Kevin Gall’s shortterm contract expires.

“There’s four out of contract and we’ll leave a decision until Saturday,”

said Staunton.

“We don’t know what we’re going to do at this moment, and there’s a long time yet between now and the end of the game. But all four are still with us and I’ll make my decision after the match.”

Tomorrow’s game represents the last that three loan players – Russell Hoult, Tony Kane, Jamie Devitt – are available for.

Sunderland’s Dowson and Jamie Chandler are with the club until Christmas while Moses Barnett only began a month’s loan from Everton last week.