DAVID HODGSON believes the impressive form of Matt Clarke will leave the defender with no shortage of takers at the end of the season - and going by recent performances Darlington will lead the queue.

Clarke is out of contract in the summer and a number of clubs have already made enquiries for the 24-year-old.

Hodgson was prepared to let Clarke join League Two rivals Chester City last week, before the defender's agent intervened to block any deal.

In June last year Hodgson paved the way for the big defender to join Notts County, only for the deal to fall through when then Magpies boss Gary Mills signed Rob Ullathorne instead. Bradford City were also credited with an interest in the Leeds-based defender.

Hodgson's willingness to let Clarke leave would seem to suggest his days at the Williamson Motors Stadium are numbered.

However, Hodgson has been impressed with the recent form of Clarke, who was outstanding in Saturday's hard-fought 1-1 draw at Northampton Town.

"I thought Matt was magnificent for us against Northampton," said Hodgson. "He's playing very well at the moment and he knows he has to in his circumstances.

"Matt is in a position where he has to perform exceptionally well in every game because he is out of contract at the end of the season and clubs will be looking at him. With those types of performances he's going to put himself in a good position."

Clarke has missed just one game this season - serving a ban at Cheltenham in November - having started the first eight games of the campaign as an emergency striker.

However, it has been Clarke's defensive displays which have more than compensated for the loss of defensive duo Joey Hutchinson and Craig Liddle.

And while Hodgson is clearly willing to listen to offers for Clarke, the Quakers boss is refusing to rule out extending his stay at the club.

"On the other side of the coin and on that performance we are just as keen to keep Matt at the club," added Hodgson. "Whether we do or we don't remains to be seen."

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