CRAIG Liddle has begun his third week in temporary charge of crisis-hit Darlington vowing to increase the players' fitness.

Off-the-field matters are threatening the existence of the club, but Liddle is attempting to focus only on football and after three games says he wants the squad to be "ultra fit".

Quakers are without a match until a week on Saturday, at Ebbsfleet United, and the fortnight's break could prove beneficial in improving fitness levels believes Liddle.

"Now we have a little break and the boys will work hard because I think it's important to improve fitness levels," said Liddle who remains caretaker manager until chairman Raj Singh announces his replacement for Mark Cooper.

"All managers say that kind of thing when they come in, but I genuinely believe they need to be fitter. So we will work hard and we'll see where we are in terms of a new manager coming in.

"It might be a personal thing. The way I like to play I think you've got to be ultra-fit, you've got to be an athlete nowadays.

"The first team boys would probably back me up when I say this, but my youth team are probably fitter than the first team.

"We work at a tempo everyday with the youth team and work so hard. At times they probably get sick of me pushing them to the limits, but you've got to and I think the results, even though results at that level are secondary to development, speak volumes. In the last five minutes of games we're flying still."

Cooper and and assistant Richard Dryden were axed two weeks ago, but Liddle stressed he is not criticising their approach.

He added: "I'm not saying that Mark and Richard's methods were wrong, but they had a lot of games to contend with and they do things differently to me. If you're not fit you can't really compete.

"You've got to be sensible with it, but you can train at a tempo. You can shorten your training sessions, but train at a higher tempo. What I say to the kids everyday is that we train how we play, every time you step on to the training pitch you should be training as if you're playing and end up absolutely worn out."

Liddle turned down the opportunity to replace Cooper, deciding to remain as head of youth, but he remains in charge while Singh resolves off-the-field matters.

He is in dispute with Darlington Borough Council over covenants on land at The Northern Echo Arena while he this week aims to come to an agreement with Cooper regarding the size of pay-off he should receive.

Also on the agenda is the players' wages. That subject will be discussed when the squad meets with Quakers' hierarchy this week, with Singh proposing only those on higher salaries should take a cut.

However, they would receive back-dated pay if Darlington are promoted.