Darlington manager Gary Bennett will have to wait until August to discover whether he'll be able to sign Olivier Bernard again for Quakers, writes Ray Simpson.

The Frenchman had a successful loan spell at Feethams up to the end of the season and has now returned to Newcastle.

Bennett wants to sign him on a season-long loan for the start of the new campaign, but said: "I will have to wait until pre-season training starts again to find out what is happening.

"If he is involved with their plans during the pre-season preparations and goes with their squad for friendlies, then we might have to forget about him.

"But if he isn't involved, then I will try and pursue him on loan."

But the chances of Middlesbrough midfielder Neil Maddison moving to the club aren't so good, as several clubs from higher up the ladder are wanting to speak to the 31-year-old.

Quakers are hopeful that they can persuade him to join his hometown club and had talks last week.

l Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier is bringing another French coach to Anfield as a replacement for Patrice Bergues, who is joining Lens. Houllier is refusing to name the new man, but an announcement is expected later this week.

''I can confirm I will be bringing in a French coach,'' Houllier said.

''I won't tell you his name yet, but it will come out over the next two to three days. He is a coach with the same profile and personality and I know my players will get on with him very well.''