AUSTRALIAN midfielder Adrian Webster got more than he bargained for when he returned to England for treatment on a career-threatening knee injury earlier this year.

The 24-year-old was due to fly home during the summer after recovering from medial ligament damage when he received an unexpected call from Darlington manager David Hodgson.

Nine years after leaving school to join Charlton Athletic at the age of 15, Webster was offered a trial and an opportunity to kick-start his career in England with Quakers.

And after impressing Hodgson and assistant manager Mark Proctor, Webster was offered a contract until January.

"I never had any intention of coming over for trials because I was just concentrating on getting the right treatment on my knee," said Webster.

"I made a good recovery and was about to go home when I got a call out of the blue to come up here.

"I had a couple of trials, did pretty well and I was delighted when the manager offered me a contract.

"It's taken a while to get fit but I'm feeling great now."

Webster progressed through the same Australian football academy produced Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton.

But after failing to make the grade in three years at Charlton, spells at Colchester United and Maidstone United followed, before Webster signed for Sydney-based Premier League side St George, 18 months ago.

Webster was due to sign for another club abroad when he sustained a knee injury with two games of the Australian domestic season to go.

However, the combative midfielder is now relishing the prospect of establishing himself in League Two with Quakers.

Webster made his debut as a second half substitute in the 2-1 win at Rushden recently, before making his full bow in the FA Cup against Yeovil Town nine days ago.

"I'm happy with the way I've settled in with the lads and it's all about game time now," said Webster. "I found my first game against Yeovil a bit nerve-wracking but I thought I did pretty well.

"I'm under contract until January and it's up to me to prove to the manager that I am worth a place in the team.

"Obviously, it would be great to earn a longer deal but I can only do that by doing well for Darlington.

"I've spent a long time in England already with other clubs and I'm sure that will help me."

Webster could come into Hodgson's thoughts for tomorrow night's replay at Yeovil. The Quakers boss is expected to ring the changes after Saturday's humiliating 3-0 defeat at home to Lincoln City.

The game was already beyond Quakers when Webster replaced Clark Keltie with a quarter-of-an-hour to go at the weekend.

"Coming off the back of the Swansea game we really wanted to win at home," said Webster.

"Things didn't start too badly but after the first goal everything seemed to go wrong and we just couldn't seem to lift ourselves out of it.

"I don't think Lincoln played particularly well and we were surprised to be going in at half-time two-nil down.

"They were strong defensively and made it difficult for us to get back into the game."

With two long away trips in the space of three days, the Quakers squad travelled down to Somerset this afternoon in preparation for tomorrow night's clash at Huish Park. Quakers return to the South West on Friday to face Cheltenham Town.

"We've got a tough week coming up but we've put ourselves in this position and it is up to us to get out of it," said Webster.

"There's no reason why we can't start winning games, everyone just has to lift themselves.

"This was very disappointing and we have to react in the right way. If we can win at Yeovil then we will go to Cheltenham full of confidence."

Matt Clarke will miss his first game of the season at Whaddon Road. The defender picked up his fifth booking of the season at Swansea and will serve a one-match ban.

Former Middlesbrough defender Curtis Fleming - whose wife gave birth baby girl Mia on Friday - looks certain to replace Clarke after recovering from a knee injury. American midfielder Adolfo Gregorio will resume training this week following shin splints.

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