DAVID HODGSON will hand Matthew Bates his Darlington debut at Mansfield this weekend after the Middlesbrough defender finally linked up with his new team-mates yesterday.

Hodgson has promised to take every measure to ensure Quakers get their faltering play-off bid back on track at Field Mill after their 3-1 defeat at bottom-of-the-table Cambridge.

And that will include Bates' long-awaited Quakers bow, three weeks after the 18-year-old moved to the Williamson Motors Stadium on-loan until the end of the season.

Bates has remained at the Riverside to recover from a back injury, but the Stockton-born stopper trained with Quakers for the first time yesterday.

"Matthew is only a young lad, but he already has some tremendous qualities," said Hodgson. "He's quick, good in the air and can tackle a bus.

"We've had to be patient, but I'm delighted that Middlesbrough have allowed us to take him on-loan for the rest of the season.

"It's a good challenge for Matthew, at such a young age, to test himself at this level.

"We're already in the process of planning for next season and Matthew is one player we would like to take, possibly on a season-long loan.

"At the moment my thoughts are on the final four games of the season, which Matthew will be involved in. He'll go straight into the side at Mansfield."

Bates will replace Matt Clarke, who will serve a one-match ban after reaching ten yellow cards this season.

Hodgson will also hand a recall to striker Alun Armstrong, who has resumed training after a calf injury. Skipper Neil Maddison is also in line to return after missing the Cambridge game with a back problem.

Quakers reserves meet Lincoln at the Williamson Motors Stadium tomorrow (2pm).

l Tickets yesterday went on sale for Quakers' clash at Lincoln City on April 30. The game is not all-ticket, although fans are advised to buy in advance. Tickets can be purchased from the South Stand ticket office. Adults £15, £11 reductions, £5 under-16s.

Read more about the Quakers here.