Darlington's squad rebuilding began in earnest last night when they made a double transfer swoop, bringing back former striker Barry Conlon and signing midfielder Michael Cummins from Port Vale.

Conlon has agreed to return to the Quakers after an uneventful couple of years with Barnsley in League One, where he scored eight goals in two seasons but spent most of the last campaign on the sidelines.

Thanks to injury and being overlooked by manager Andy Ritchie, 27-year-old Conlon last kicked a ball for Barnsley in September, although he did spend a short loan spell at Rotherham United in October.

But two barren years did not deter Darlington manager David Hodgson from re-signing the Dublin-born forward who scored an average of 14 goals per season in his previous spell with the club which ran from 2001 to 2004.

While Conlon has been deemed surplus to requirements at the Oakwell club, who today contest the League One play-off final with Swansea City, Port Vale were desperate to hang on to midfielder Cummins who has been a permanent fixture in central midfield since signing in March 2000.

Including two goals against Hartlepool United, Cummins found the net 11 times last season and, like Conlon, is also making a return to the North-East as he was a youth team player at Middlesbrough, for whom he made just two appearances.

One of those was as a substitute for Neil Maddison against Leeds United in February 2000. Just three weeks later he joined Port Vale and Hodgson says he has been tracking Cummins ever since that transfer.

When he released Jonjo Dickman last week, Hodgson explained that he aimed to bring in a replacement with an eye for goal and, after hitting double figures last season, Cummins, 28 next week, fits that description.

League One Oldham Athletic were reported to be interested in the Dublin-born midfielder and Hodgson said: "I have been an admirer of Michael's for a number of years and tried to sign him from Boro before he joined Port Vale. We have beaten off the challenge from other clubs in League One and the Championship for Michael's signature, which has been made possible thanks to the budget given to me by the chairman.

"Michael has been one of League One's most consistent players who, with his high scoring record, will bring an attribute to our squad we have been without for a number of years.

"If he can replicate his goals from last season he will be able to play a key role in this club achieving its ambitions next season.

"These two signings signal our intentions for next season. Michael and Barry are quality players who will bring additional strength to our squad."

Both players were out of contract at their respective clubs, with Cummins signing a two-year deal at the 96.6TFM Darlington Arena while Conlon will sign a one-year deal shortly.

Hodgson said Quakers want another striker to play alongside Conlon and added: "We are now in a position to challenge other clubs from our division and above for the signatures of quality players, which includes Barry.

"He was a great servant to Darlington during his first spell with the club and he will offer us the opportunity to play a target man up front who can aim for a return of 15 goals and provide the perfect foil for a 20-goal-a-season striker we are still on the look out for."