Just hours after signing for the club new Darlington keeper Shane Redmond is plunged into the line-up for this evening's home game with Northampton Town.

The Republic of Ireland under-21s international joined today on loan from Nottingham Forest where he is third choice.

Redmond becomes the 48th different player used by Darlington this season.

Quakers manager selects Redmond as one of three changes to the side which lost 3-0 at Crewe Alexandra on Saturday with Nick Liversedge, Gary Smith and Paul Arnison all making way.

Joining Redmond in the side are striker Curtis Main and right-back Simon Madden who makes his first start having been used as a sub at the weekend.

Arnison, Smith and Liversedge are all on the bench, as is veteran striker Noel Whelan for the first time since recovering form back and hamstring injuries.

He suffered an injury during his first game for the club, the defeat at Dagenham back in October which was also Staunton's first game in charge.

Whelan returns for what is Quakers' first game at The Northern Echo Arena since December 5, which was the 1-0 home defeat to Bradford City.

Such have been the number of players coming and going at the Arena since then, only three players are in tonight's starting line-up since that match.

Darlington (4-4-2): Redmond; Madden, White, Miller, Giddings; Purcell, Dempsey, Waite, J Smith; Diop, Main. Subs: Liversedge (gk), Arnison, McGready, Gray, G Smith, Deane, Whelan

Northampton (4-4-2): Dunn; Johnson, Hinton, Beckwith, Gilbert; Guttridge, Osman, Gilligan, Holt; Akinfenwa, McKay. Subs: Lumley, Curtis, Rogers, O'Flynn, Wilkinson, Herbert, Thornton

Referee: Carl Boyeson (Hull)