RELIEVED Mark Proctor has backed Matthew Bates to go from strength to strength after the young defender survived a health scare yesterday.

Bates will make his home debut for Darlington tomorrow after a second blood test allayed fears that the 18-year-old had contracted glandular fever.

The Middlesbrough stopper, who joined Quakers on-loan until the end of the season on transfer deadline day, has not trained all week after going down with the mystery infection.

However, Bates will train today and will start against Rushden at the Williamson Motors Stadium tomorrow.

"It's a massive relief for us and for Matthew," said Proctor. "He's been laid low all week with the infection, but thankfully it's not that serious."

Proctor coached the teenager during his three years in charge of Boro's youth-team.

Bates was outstanding on his Quakers debut at Mansfield last weekend and Proctor said: "That performance did not surprise me at all and once he has a few more games under his belt he will only get better."

Quakers boss David Hodgson will make at least once enforced change tomorrow after Joe Kendrick was ruled out with a calf injury.

Matty Appleby has returned to training after a thigh strain and looks set to continue in midfield.

With three games to go Quakers hold a slender two-point cushion inside the League Two play-off zone.

And, while Hodgson's men are expected to strengthen their position against third-bottom Rushden tomorrow, Proctor remains cautious.

"Rushden aren't mathematically safe and they'll be wanting to make sure," said Proctor. "I'm sure they'll make it very difficult and I'm sure we'll have to have our wits about us."

Rushden player-manager Barry Hunter admits the odds are stacked against an away win this weekend.

However, the former Northern Ireland international defender insists his side are capable of causing an upset.

"We need to go to Darlington and do a professional job," said Hunter.

"I suppose people will expect us to get nothing up there, but believe me, we shall have a real go and make ourselves very hard to beat."

* Former Darlington midfielder Adam Rundle has signed a new, one-year deal at Mansfield.

He played against his former club last weekend and boss Carlton Palmer said: "Adam is a very important part of what we are doing here. He is raw and that rawness gives you a bit of the unexpected, which is exciting."

Read more about the Quakers here.