Darlington chairman George Reynolds last night told midfielder Neil Maddison he still has a future with the club.

Yesterday was a busy day for the Feethams chief, who also secured the loan signing of Leeds youngster Tom Newey and extended the contract of big defender Matt Clarke for a further 12 months.

But it's the prospect of extending Maddison's stay which will most delight supporters.

The 33-year-old had been expected to leave Quakers when his current contract expires in the summer after initially being told he was surplus to requirements.

However, Reynolds has revealed that he hopes to open negotiations with Darlington-born Maddison with a view to extending his stay with the club he joined from Middlesbrough on a free transfer two years ago.

"I'll be talking to Neil soon and hopefully we can work something out," said Reynolds.

"We'll be discussing terms for next season and if it's acceptable he'll stay with us. You can see how much the club means to him and these are the kind of players we want."

Maddison, one of Quakers' most influential players in helping the club stave off the threat of relegation in recent weeks, has always maintained his desire to remain with the club he supports and will surely jump at the chance to extend his stay - providing of course both player and chairman can agree terms.

Reynolds, meanwhile, yesterday welcomed the signing of Leeds United defender Newey until the end of the season with a view to a permanent deal.

The 20-year-old recently spent two months on loan with Third Division rivals Cambridge, where he made seven starts for the Us including an appearance in their 2-1 win at Feethams over a fortnight ago.

The Sheffield-born youngster is a free agent in the summer and will be seeking a permanent move after failing to break into the first-team at Elland Road.

"If it works out OK we'll keep him for next season," said Reynolds.

"We have him until the end of the season and if he does well for us we'll give him a contract.

"He played for Cambridge against us and he ran us ragged."

Newey becomes Quakers' eighth and final loan signing of the season and goes straight into the squad for tomorrow's visit of Bury.

The club has also announced that Blackburn striker Jim Corbett will remain with the club until the end of the season.

The 22-year-old joined initially on a month's loan, but yesterday extended his stay after impressing boss Mick Tait.

Clarke, who joined the club on a free transfer in July last year after being released by Halifax, was out of contract in the summer and has agreed a new one-year deal.

Reynolds said: "A lot of clubs were interested in him when we signed him, including Southampton, and it's good to keep him here.''

* Former Quakers boss Tommy Taylor has been unveiled as the new assistant manager of Conference side Farnborough Town.

He said: "The manager didn't have anyone helping him out so I was asked to give him a hand. I met the players on Tuesday night and that all went OK."

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