DARYL MURPHY may have expressed his desire to fight for his place at Sunderland at the weekend, but Darlington hope to convince the Irish striker that a loan move could enhance his long-term prospects at the Stadium of Light.

Murphy made his first senior start for the Black Cats at Arsenal on Saturday, just days after Darlington manager David Hodgson made an approach to take the 22-year-old on loan.

Hodgson has identified Murphy, who joined Sunderland from Irish side Waterford for £150,000 during the summer, as the man to bolster Quakers' flagging fortunes in front of goal.

But, despite indications from Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy last week that Murphy could leave Wearside on a temporary basis, his appearance at Highbury has cast fresh doubts over any exit.

Murphy is behind Andy Gray, Jon Stead, Stephen Elliott and Anthony Le Tallec in Sunderland's striker ranks. It was in Andy Welsh's absence that Murphy was handed his full debut at Arsenal on the left wing.

Hodgson remains unsure of Murphy's situation after Saturday's call-up, although the promise of regular first-team football could yet persuade the young Irishman to make the short move south.

With Saturday's visit of second-placed Wycombe Wanderers looming, Hodgson is desperate to bring in at least one forward. Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu is suspended, leaving the Quakers boss with few attacking options.

However, any move for former Sunderland and Newcastle striker Michael Bridges is looking increasingly unlikely.

The 27-year-old has failed to settle in the south west, but is reportedly reluctant to drop down another division, just four months after moving to Ashton Gate from Sunderland.

Hodgson, meanwhile, was yesterday assessing the mental damage inflicted by the reserves' 10-1 mauling at Sheffield United on Monday night. A strong Quakers side included Phil Stamp, Clark Keltie, Brian Close, Neil Maddison, Ndumbu-Nsungu and goalscorer Adrian Webster, were thumped by an inexperienced Blades line-up.

l England's friendly with Argentina on Saturday will be shown on Darlington's big screen after the Wycombe game. Quakers' kick-off has been brought forward to 2.30pm. The England game starts at 4.45pm and will also be shown in the Corner Bar and Tinshed Bar.

l Hartlepool United United have suffered a double setback with Adam Boyd and Joel Porter being ruled out of action until the new year.

Porter has not played since the League One play-off final against Sheffield Wednesday at the Millennium Stadium in May.

The 27-year-old striker had a cartilage operation in pre-season and was forced to go under the surgeon's knife a second time when he suffered a setback to his rehabilitation programme in August.

Pool manager Martin Scott had pencilled in his Aussie frontman for a reserve game this month, but he was seen hobbling around on crutches after Saturday's FA Cup victory over Dagenham & Redbridge.

Boyd, who has netted twice in eight games this season, has not appeared since damaging knee ligaments in Pool's 1-0 home defeat to Yeovil in early September.

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