Darlington manager Mick Tait is tipping opening-day opponents Hull City to be a force in Division Three this season.

The Quakers boss, who made 34 appearances for the Tigers as a player, believes Peter Taylor's side are capable of challenging for honours after a busy time in the transfer market.

"Hull be will one of the leading contenders to go up because they've spent a bit in the summer," said Tait.

"They did the same last season and it didn't quite come off for them but I expect them to be a lot stronger this time around.

"It's going to be very tough on Saturday but as long as our players know they are just as good as them we will do well.

"It's important we make a good start, although Hull will be thinking the same."

Tait is still hoping to include at least one new face before Saturday's trip to the KC Stadium, with French trialist Fabian Bossy still an option.

Birmingham's Middlesbrough-born defender Jonathan Hutchinson also played in Tuesday's win at Whitby. He is still under contract at St Andrews, but has been told he can leave and has also been training with Bradford City.

The Quakers boss is still hoping to bring in a defender although it won't be former Quaker Richard Hope, who is expected to sign for Division Three rivals York City today.

The 25-year-old, who was released by Northampton at the end of the season, is expected to put pen to paper on a one-month deal with Chris Brass' side.

Hope turned down a return to Quakers this summer after failing to agree terms, before Hartlepool took him on trial, where he failed to land a deal.

"Richard will be coming in initially for a month," said Brass.

"He's had talks with other clubs and been offered 12-month deals. But he wants to come and sign for us and prove to us he's worth a longer contract, which is promising.

"It's up to the lad now. He's impressed me enough, but we just want to make sure he's 100 per cent right for us."

Ex-Darlington winger Richard Hodgson has teamed up with former boss Tommy Taylor at Farnborough.

Paul Campbell has also been on trial, but has not been offered a deal, and Adam Reed is seeking a new club. He has been on trial at both York and Harrogate Town without success.

Mick Harford has returned to Luton as director of football and first-team coach just two months after being sacked.

Harford was relieved of his duties as first-team coach at Kenilworth Road by John Gurney, who lost control of Luton when the club went into administrative receivership, and Harford has agreed to return to work alongside manager Mike Newell, who left Hartlepool last season.

Read more about the Quakers here.