Gabbiadini returns but no deal just yet

The 35-year-old has been invited to train with Mick Tait's squad at their Maiden Castle headquarters while he mulls over an offer from the club.

And Gabbiadini admitted he was pleased to be back among some familiar faces, as he spoke exclusively to Northern Echo SPORT about the possibility of an emotional return.

"There were a few faces I recognised from last time and it was good to be involved again," said Gabbiadini.

"I'm training with the rest of the lads this week so we'll have to see how things go."

Gabbiadini earned superstar status during a two-year spell with the club, scoring 53 goals in just 95 games.

He was recently named Darlington's greatest player of all time following a poll carried out amongst fans.

And the former Sunderland striker, who was released by Northampton at the end of the season, has revealed the special relationship he developed with Quakers' fans during his first stint has made a second spell with the club all the more appealing.

"Obviously the rapport I had with the fans is something which would attract me back to the club," said Gabbiadini.

"They were fantastic when I was there and it would be nice to play in front of them again.

"I'd like to get back into the north of England because obviously I'm from the area and that's something which would appeal to me."

Gabbiadini will train with the rest of his prospective new teammates for the rest of the week but admits any deal is still far from complete with a number of options still to weigh up.

Quakers remain favourites for the former England Under-21 international's signature, although several non-league clubs are known to have registered an interest, including Unibond Premier Division side Hucknall.

"I've been speaking to the (Darlington) chairman over the last couple of weeks and things are going well," said Gabbiadini.

"I've got plenty of options to think about but at the moment it's early days.

"Until everything's confirmed there's nothing much else I can say.

"It's just a case of taking it as it comes at the moment.

"There are a few things I need to clear in my mind and in some respects more on a personal front.

"I have to make sure things are right for my family."

One player who looks unlikely to be joining the club is Gabbiadini's former Northampton teammate and ex-Quakers defender Richard Hope, who also trained with the club yesterday.

The 25-year-old was also released by the Cobblers at the end of the season and was at the Reynolds Arena yesterday afternoon to hold talks with Reynolds.

Teessider Hope, who left Quakers for Northampton in 1998, is keen to return to the North-East but admits he does not know where his future lies.

"I enjoyed having a knock about with the rest of the lads but we'll just have to wait and see," said Hope.

"I've spoken to the chairman but at the moment there's still plenty for me to consider.

"I know that there are one or two other clubs interested so it's just a case of waiting to see what comes along."

Yorkshire rivals Bradford, Barnsley and Huddersfield have all made checks on the defender, while Scunthorpe and Mansfield are also known to be interested.

Meanwhile, midfielder Ashley Nicholls last night allayed fears over his future when he agreed a new deal with the club.

The 21-year-old has signed a one-year extension to his current contract which expires at the end of the coming season.

Nicholls arrived at the club last season after his release from Ipswich, quickly establishing himself as a first-team regular with a string of impressive displays.

The youngster was reportedly homesick last season.

However, Reynolds last night welcomed Nicholls' decision to put pen to paper on a new deal.

"He is a young lad and he's bound to get home sick," said Reynolds.

"It would have been very easy for him to go somewhere else but it just shows how much he likes the club.

"He's a great player and we're delighted he's decided to commit his future to the club."

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