DARLINGTON'S FA Cup preparations received some timely good news yesterday following skipper Craig Liddle's successful return to action.

The influential defender eased his way through 90 minutes of the reserves' 2-1 win at Grimsby Town and will go straight into the squad for Saturday's first-round visit of Yeovil Town.

Liddle has not started a game since September after it was discovered one leg was weaker than the other. And while the 33-year-old has been undergoing extensive treatment to correct the problem, his recovery has been delayed due to a niggling stomach strain.

However, he suffered no reaction yesterday and will return to the first-team frame this weekend.

Reserve-team coach, Neil Maddison, said: "Lids came in and sailed through the game with no problems at all.

"When you take into account the conditions the lads were playing in he did extremely well.

"He still has a lot of work to do, but he's fitter now than he has been for a long time.

"We all know how important he is to the team and it was great to see him out on the pitch again."

Clark Keltie and Chris Mason were on target yesterday as Maddison's men recorded their first win of the season.

Hull City have all but ruled themselves out of a move for Quakers striker Clyde Wijnhard after the League One outfit agreed a £50,000 fee with Stockport County for Luke Beckett.

Wijnhard has been offered an improved deal to remain at the Williamson Motors Stadium until the end of the season.

However, the Dutchman has yet to make his mind up, with Yorkshire rivals Rotherham United and Bradford City both monitoring the situation.

The club has yet to receive an approach for any of the seven players whose names were circulated for loan or transfer last week.

Neil Wainwright, David McGurk, Mark Convery, Michael Price, Chris Hughes, Keltie and Michael Coghlan are all out of contract at the end of the season.

Hodgson, though, insists the players still have a future at the club, providing they prove their worth between now and May.

The move has already had a positive impact on Wainwright, who impressed in Saturday's win at Rushden. The former Sunderland winger came off the bench to set up Craig Hignett's second goal at Nene Park.

Darlington reserves: Price, Chris Hughes, Mason, Liddle, McGurk, Thomas, Keltie, Addison, Wainwright, Convery, St Juste. Subs: Molyneux (gk), Coghlan, Mendum, Bulford.

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