Youth team midfielder Dale Hopson makes his senior debut as Darlington return to action at Ebbsfleet United today.

The teenager has been on an unused substitute lately having been part of the youth side that has enjoyed a fine start to the campaign.

Yesterday's 2-1 win at Rotherham United saw the young Quakers go joint top-of-the-table and Hopson is not the only teenager in the squad as youth team keeper Jordan Nixon is on the bench at Stonebridge Road.

Hopson is one of five changes that caretaker manager Craig Liddle makes to the side which last played a fortnight ago when defeating AFC Telford 1-0 at The Northern Echo Arena.

Returning to the XI are Aaron Brown, Ian Miller, Liam Hatch and Adam Rundle. Making way are Exodus Geohagon, Greg Taylor, John Campbell, James Gray and Ryan Bowman.

Since they last played Quakers have lost Taylor to Luton and Campbell to Bedlington while Geohagon's departure has hit a late snag and Bowman has suffered a hamstring strain in training.

But back in Darlington colours in centre-back Adam Quinn. He is on the bench today having returned to the club following a loan spell at Barrow.

Ebbsfleet are undefeated in six league games and last Saturday leapt above Darlington, into 14th, when they defeated Stockport County in a rearranged game.

Referee: Mike Bull

Ebbsfleet: Edwards, Stone, Lorraine, West, Marwa, Willock, Shakes, Howe, Mambo, Barrett, Pinney. Subs: Phipp, Enver-Marum, Welch (gk), Darvill

Darlington: Russell, Arnison, Miller, Lee, Brown, Chandler, McReady, Hopson, Bridge-Wilkinson, Rundle, Hatch. Subs: Nixon (gk), Taylor, Atkinson, Quinn, J Gray