There are no signs of any new players joining Darlington to replace those sure to walk out of Feethams this summer.

Several first-team players are out of contract this summer and most, if not all, are likely to leave for pastures new, but as yet no fresh blood has signed for the club who will operate with a 22-man squad next season.

Later this summer the Professional Footballers' Association will circulate a list of players available which boss Tommy Taylor will examine in attempt to re-build the squad which could be stripped of up to ten players.

Those out of contract are goalkeepers Andrew Grainger and Keith Finch, defenders Paul Heckingbottom, David Brightwell, Phil Brumwell, Gary Pearson and Steve Harper, midfielder Richard Hodgson while the deals of Adam Marsh and Clint Marcelle are coming to an end.

Taylor wanted to keep Heckingbottom but he has made his intention to leave very clear, while the club have an option on Pearson and Hodgson, enabling them to keep them at Feethams if they wish. Of the other seven, only Brumwell and Brightwell may have a Feethams future, but only if they accept new deals to stay.

Craig Liddle remains at the club and still has two years of a three-year contract to run.

* Focused defender Chris Westwood has already revealed Hartlepool United's secret weapon for next season - returning stars.

Pool's rise into the Third Division play-offs was achieved without middle-men Mark Tinkler and Tommy Widdrington.

And Westwood believes that having the pair back will ensure Pool get off to the best possible start. "I think we have got a great squad and I don't think much needs to be done to it.

"We will have a few lads coming back from injury and that will be like having a couple of new signings. We've got a good squad and we should finish above the play-offs.''

Read more about the Quakers here.