DARLINGTON outcasts Stephen Thomas and Adrian Webster could enhance their first-team opportunities by following the example set by born-again defender Joe Kendrick.

That was the message of encouragement from manager David Hodgson, who insists Thomas and Webster do have futures at the 96.6 TFM Darlington Arena.

With over a dozen midfielders at the club, the duo have found it difficult to break into Hodgson's side this season.

Thomas has been restricted to six appearances (all from the bench), while Webster has made just five starts.

Hodgson was prepared to let Kendrick leave the club during the summer, but moves to Dunfermline and Hamilton failed to materialise.

The 22-year-old's failure to appear in Quakers' opening 18 matches could only suggest that the Dubliner's exit was imminent.

But, after finally making his first start of the season against Barnsley in November, Kendrick has made the Quakers left-back spot his own.

"They are out of the frame at the moment and they should be looking to emulate what Joe has achieved this season," said Hodgson.

"Adrian is a little bit down at the moment and he needs a lift. I cannot fault Stephen because his attitude has been fantastic.

"I feel for them both, but they need to look at the bigger picture. They have to be prepared to buckle down and work their socks off.

"They need to do something to get back into the starting XI or enough to convince another club to come in for them."

Webster could make his first start of 2006 on the international stage in February. New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert names a provisional 35-man squad this week for two games against Malaysia and Webster - who made his All Whites debut against Australia last year - is expected to earn his second call-up.

York City could offer Thomas an escape route after Hodgson revealed former Quakers boss Billy McEwan has expressed an interest in taking the Hartlepool-born midfielder to KitKat Crescent.

Hodgson, meanwhile, has been thwarted in his attempts to bring a Slovakian striker to the club on trial. The player, who was the subject of a £100,000 bid from Leicester City last season, was due to arrive this week, but his Poland-based club have blocked the move.

Kasper Schmeichel may have played his last game for Darlington if Sam Russell comes through a practice match unscathed this week. Russell has not played since November after suffering a hairline fracture of the fibula in training.

Schmeichel has made three appearances since joining Quakers but, with Russell nearing full fitness, the on-loan Manchester City man may head home.

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