DARLINGTON manager Steve Staunton has reacted to losing four players last weekend by making three signings ahead of tomorrow’s game at Barnet.

Strikers James Collins and Mor Diop as well as midfielder David Davis have all moved to The Northern Echo Arena, taking the number of signings since Steve Staunton’s appointment to six.

Collins, 18, arrives on a three-month loan from Aston Villa where Staunton’s former Republic of Ireland coach, Kevin McDonald, is reserve team manager.

Davis, also 18, arrives from Mick McCarthy’s Wolverhampton Wanderers on a onemonth loan with a view to a longer spell.

He arrives after Gary Smith suffered an injury against Shrewsbury Town last weekend and misses tomorrow’s game.

It will be the first match Smith has missed this season, and Staunton said: “Gary had a bad whack towards the end last Saturday which is a blow as he played very well.

“We’ll find out the extent of the injury next week when we get the full diagnosis.”

Frenchman Diop will not feature having sustained a minor injury in training.

Diop, who has been playing for Ibiza in Spain’s fourth division, has been training with Quakers recently while awaiting international clearance.

“Simon Thomas and big Mo have been excellent in training so it’s a pity Mor has suffered a wee niggle,” said Staunton.

“But he should be fit for next week and I think the supporters will be quite impressed when he comes on the park because he’s a talented footballer.”

The new arrivals were essential with four players leaving following last Saturday’s win over Shrewsbury – Russell Hoult, Tony Kane, Jamie Devitt and Kevin Gall.

Devitt returned to Hull but yesterday made a surprise loan move to the Shrews. He had returned hoping for Premier League football and Staunton said: “Jamie Devitt assured me he was going to come back to the club but then changed his mind and has now gone to Shrewsbury and I had no control over that situation. It’s his decision, good luck to him.”

Notts County do not want Hoult to extend his stay with Quakers, meaning Staunton will tomorrow choose between Nick Liversedge and David Knight to play in goal.

Staunton would have made it four signings but a deal for full-back Richard Jackson collapsed at the 11th hour.