Striker Simon Thomas comes straight into the side as one of two changes Steve Staunton makes for today’s home game with Shrewsbury Town.

He signed on loan for three months yesterday from Crystal Palace and he replaces Noel Whelan who is out for around two months with a hamstring strain.

He sustained that in last week’s 2-0 defeat at Dagenham & Redbridge, a day that Moses Barnett made his debut and the left-back makes his home debut today.

Winger Jamie Devitt returns, at the expense of Dan Groves, for the last game of his loan from Hull City.

Shrewsbury striker Dave Hibbert has been ruled out with an Achilles injury, a blow to the Shrews who are already without suspended captain Graham Coughlan.

They hand a full debut to defender Harry Hooman who replaces Coughlan.

Darlington (4-4-2): Hoult; Arnison, Foster, Miller, Barnett; Devitt, G Smith, Chandler, J Smith; Thomas, Gall. Subs: Knight, Plummer, Barnes, Bennett, Groves, Convery, Main

Shrewsbury Town (4-4-2): Phillips; Holden, Langmead, Hooman, Cansdell-Sherriff; Neal, Labadie, Murray, McIntyre; Bright, Robinson. Subs: Elder, Leslie, Gray, Simpson, Arestidou, Richards, Taylor

Referee: Andy Haines (Sunderland)