DARLINGTON manager Steve Staunton expects new striker Mor Diop to have benefited from a full week’s training by the time Quakers return to Barnet on Saturday.

The teams met at Underhill League Two ten days ago but Diop, who had signed for Darlington two days previously, was unable to feature due to a minor injury.

He instead made his debut against Hereford United at the weekend and Staunton was pleased with his performance.

“He got hold of the ball, he created problems and I knew he would be a handful. We had to be careful with him because he had a niggle,” said the manager.

“I didn’t want to give him any more than half an hour but he’ll have a good week’s training this week.

“We need to build him up.

His fitness levels are good but match fitness is different.

That half an hour will have done him good and hopefully at Barnet he will get a bit more game time.”

When Diop entered the pitch at Hereford as a 57th minute substitute, alongside fellow new signing Nathan Mulligan, he took the number of players to have featured for Quakers this season to 34.

Staunton admits he wants consistency in team selection, saying: “I’m trying to get a settled side as quickly as possible.

“It’s hard when you’re chopping and changing and bringing in different players but that’s the way it’s going to be for another few weeks until we get a settled group of lads in. The sooner the better.

“What I want to do is get a few players who belong to us and aren’t loan players so we can have a settled team. And then add to it with loan players who can have an impact.”

■ Quakers youth team are at home to Huddersfield Town in the FA Youth Cup on Saturday.

Kick-off for the second round tie is 12pm at The Northern Echo Arena.