Despite twice being rebuffed in the transfer market this summer while other League Two clubs have made progress, Mark Proctor says Darlington are to remain patient in their attempts to bring in fresh blood.

Striker Simon Johnson arrived on a free from Leeds last week but both Matthew Tipton, who signed for Mansfield yesterday, and Colin Larkin have turned Quakers down. Chester, Boston, Wycombe and Grimsby have each signed around five players.

One of Grimsby's new signings is Tom Newey, with Darlington on loan two yeas ago, but despite letting several players go at the end of last season, Quakers' assistant manager is not panicking yet.

"It's been very busy, we did quite a bit of firing and now we're trying to do a bit of hiring," he said.

"You get a million phone calls every day from agents and it's quite difficult getting through all the CVs and finding a players that's going to enhance the squad.

"Boston have been big spenders, they've pushed the boat out and spent a bit. We haven't dived in, you've got to be brave and bold.

"We are being patient and we only want to sign players are going to improve the squad.

"There's plenty of players available, thousands were released last season, it's sifting through and identifying the correct ones that's the difficult part.

"Predominantly we're dealing with agents during a very busy period.

"At the Middlesbrough academy I was coaching during the season and then at the end of the season went home for eight weeks and watched television.

"At senior level there's a lot more involved, it is hectic but I'm thoroughly enjoying it."

Proctor refuted reports that Sam Russell has committed himself to the Quakers, though says there is every chance to keeper will sign a new contract.

He said: "We have offered him a deal and he came back with another offer he had had elsewhere.

"It's a bit of a tennis rally at the moment between Hodgy (David Hodgson) and Sam, but it's about 40-30 in Hodgy's favour right now!"

Craig Hignett is weighing up his options after being offered a deal to play in Cyprus.

* Darrell Clarke will report for pre-season training with Hartlepool United next week desperate to put his injury misery behind him.

The midfielder spent last season on the sidelines as two separate knee injuries ruled him out.

And now, with Martin Scott appointed manager, the 27-year-old, who moved to Pool from Mansfield in 2001, will be hoping to return to the fold.

The luckless midfielder is out of contract on Friday, and earlier this year Clarke admitted he feared for his future at Pool, but Scott says a new deal will be there for him.

Clarke was diagnosed with knee trouble last August, returned for the reserves before Christmas and went out on loan to Stockport with the idea of coming back fit for Pool's promotion push.

But, just half an hour into his first game for Stockport, he suffered a further knee injury and his season was ended.

And Scott revealed: "Darrell was chomping at the bit to get back last season. He wanted to be in the first team squad at the end of the season, never mind the reserves.

"But I sat him down and explained the situation at the time. He's a great lad to have around the club, and it would have been stupid to throw him in. He needed more work and more training.

And Scott added: "He's got to work all summer and hopefully come back a lot stronger next season.

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