Darlington manager Mick Tait is determined to make the most of all the players he has at his disposal this season.

While the likes of big-spending Hull and Northampton set their sights on promotion, the Quakers boss is realistic and knows that, not by choice, any chances of following neighbours Hartlepool up to the dizzy heights of Second Division football rest with his current crop.

With eight departures during the summer and little sign of funds being made available to Tait, any improvement on last season's 14th placed finish will be an achievement in itself.

This afternoon Quakers play host to Doncaster Rovers; the South Yorkshire outfit back in Division Three after a five-year exile from the Football League.

And a win for Tait's men could take them up into the top half of the table for the first time this season.

"We're all aiming as high as possible and looking towards the top half of the table," said Tait.

"It's still early days at the moment and all I'm concerned with now is getting the team right, trying to get everyone fully fit again and as soon as that happens I'm sure we'll start winning more games than we have done."

While Tait maintains it is too early to gauge how his side will do this season, the outcome of today's clash at the Reynolds Arena, followed by Tuesday's trip to York City, could provide fans with some idea.

"It's a good opportunity for us having two games in the next few days," said Tait.

"If you can get two wins you're flying again. If you don't then you just have to keep your head up and keep working."

Quakers eased their way to a morale-boosting 2-0 win over bottom of the table Carlisle last week and Tait admitted today's game couldn't come soon enough for his players.

Tait has no fresh injury worries, with Neil Wainwright available again following a groin injury.

He returned to action for the reserves in midweek suffering no reaction, and could play a part as Quakers look to make it win number three at the Reynolds Arena.

Striker Danny Mellanby is close to full fitness following a troublesome rib injury sustained during pre-season but Tait is unlikely to risk the former Bishop Auckland forward.

Much-travelled striker Leo Fortune-West is expected to start for the visitors and Tait is well aware of the physical threat the 6ft 4ins former Cardiff man will pose to his defence.

"We know what he's about and it's just a case of handling him right," said Tait.

"He can cause problems because he's big and strong but I'm confident our defenders are good enough to deal with him."

Rovers have suffered just one defeat this season and having watched their goalless draw with Hull on Monday, Tait knows what to expect from Dave Penney's side.

"They've made a solid start and looking at the way they play, they're going to be a difficult side to beat," he said.

"They're going to be hard to break down and we're going to have to work just as hard as last week if we're going to get the right result again."

Rovers have named the same starting XI for all of their League games this season, but today they're forced to make at least one change with defender Simon Marples ruled out with a stomach injury

"We won't be worrying too much about them though," said Tait.

"We need to make sure we get things right ourselves and if we continue to work hard and show the same kind of attitude as we did against Carlisle then we should be OK."

* Notts County manager Billy Dearden has received a boost ahead of today's trip to Chesterfield with five players agreeing one-month contract extensions.

Boss Dearden has been operating under a transfer embargo since the club went into administration in June 2002, although the Football League has sanctioned the signing of players on short-term deals.

Now, defenders Steve Jenkins and Tony Barras, midfield duo Ian Richardson and Simon Baldry and striker Clive Platt have agreed to one-month extensions.

The players' move follows a decision by the Football League board of directors on Monday to expel the Magpies in three months' time should they fail to emerge from administration.

* Defender Mark Peters is on his way out of Rushden and Diamonds after having his contract terminated by the Nene Park outfit.

Diamonds have agreed a severance package with Peters which sees the 31-year-old leave the club with immediate effect.

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