Darlington manager Gary Bennett yesterday signed striker Kevin Kyle from Sunderland on a month's loan - but his search for a permanent solution to his side's lack of goals goes on.

Stranraer-born Kyle, 19, has just returned from a month's loan at Huddersfield to sign a four-year contract at the Stadium of Light. He bagged 28 goals for the under-19 side last season and was also capped by Scotland under-21s in Croatia last month.

"He's big lad who has scored a lot of goals for Sunderland's reserve and youth sides," said Bennett.

"A posse of clubs from higher divisions than us have been after him to sign him on loan and we're privileged to get him.

"He's joining up with us on Thursday and he will be playing for us on Saturday at Hull. Hopefully, he'll be able to finish off our chances."

Bennett knows that he's got no chance of signing Kyle on a permanent basis, but he is hoping to keep him for longer than the initial month.

"We'll have to wait and see how things go. If the clubs agree and the player agrees, then maybe he can stay longer."

Kyle joins fellow Sunderland starlet Thomas Butler in moving to Feethams on loan.

"I predicted that Thomas would come good and he has done. His first month has gone very well and hopefully we might be able to extend his and Kevin's loans month by month, depending on how things go."

Kyle, meanwhile, is looking forward to life at Feethams. "I didn't make a start at the McAlpine but I did get my first taste of senior football and I am sure I will learn something playing some Third Division matches," he said.

Sunderland boss Peter Reid is adamant that the youngster is part of his long-term plans and said: "He's at a stage where he can't get a lot of games for us so it is an opportunity for him to get some experience in the lower leagues.

"But he has every chance of making it at the top level and he has a long-term future with us." Bennett is still looking around for players. He watched a couple of trialists in action in a private game against Newcastle this week and yesterday afternoon he took in Hartlepool's reserve game with Hull City.

"We can't afford to buy anybody," he said. "Whether a player is £10,000 or £100,000, the chairman isn't into buying players.

"It isn't a case of not trying, it's a matter of being patient and trying to bring the right person in, who's in the right bracket.'