DARLINGTON have confirmed two backroom team arrivals, with Josh Gowling bringing in a performance analyst and a new physio joining to replace the popular Danny O'Connor, who is heading to Hartlepool United.

O'Connor will work his final game as Darlington physio against Scarborough this weekend, before being replaced by Nathan Liddle, who arrives with a wealth of experience in football and other sports.

Quakers have also confirmed the addition of performance analyst Alex Jenkins, who was recommended to the club by Gowling having worked with the manager at his previous club Hereford.

Jenkins was on the balcony at Blackwell Meadows for Saturday's game against Gloucester and will provide opposition, in-game and post-match analysis, as well as studying individual performances, set-plays, training and assisting with background work on transfer targets.

Jenkins said: "I was contacted by Josh in regards to a possible position at Darlington FC. Once hearing about the potential of joining the club and project placed before me, it was an opportunity I could not turn down.

"I am again looking forward to working with Josh and joining this great football club."

Incoming physio Liddle worked at Middlesbrough for eight years, where he was involved with every age group from the academy to the first team. He's previously had a couple of short spells at Darlington and also has vast experience working in other sports including boxing, gymnastics, athletics and rowing. He worked at the London 2012 Olympics and last year's Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

He will combine his role at Darlington FC with his full-time role as a senior lecturer in physiotherapy at Teesside University.

Liddle will replace O'Connor, who is preparing for an emotional farewell when Darlington host Scarborough in the FA Cup third qualifying round on Saturday.

O'Connor said: "Ever since I came into the club I felt instantly at home. The full club from top to bottom is filled with some incredible people. Some of the unseen things that volunteers do that allows the club to function and run  away from match days are incredible. Then things like the boost the budget, which breaks records year after year, just cements how special this place is.

"I would just like to give a huge thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone at the club that I have come across. This is an unbelievably special club filled with some amazing people.

"Sometimes not everyone gets everything right, but I can assure you that from my experience, everyone’s heart is in the right place and everyone’s intention is to get this great club back to league status where it belongs.

"Keep doing what you do guys, I can’t wait to see you all for one last time on Saturday to thank everyone in person."

Meanwhile, Darlington have opted against attempting to extend Finlay Barnes' loan move from York and he's returned to the National League club.

Barnes scored twice during his spell with Quakers, with both goals coming on his debut at Alfreton.