DARLINGTON have made an "audacious" loan bid for Middlesbrough striker Danny Graham after Kyle Lafferty was recalled by Burnley yesterday.

Injuries and suspensions at Turf Moor have forced Steve Cotterill to bring Lafferty's successful Quakers stint to an end. He scored three goals in nine appearances.

Graham, who returned to the Riverside Stadium this week following a three-month loan at Derby County, enjoyed a successful loan spell with Quakers at the back end of the 2003/04 season.

David Hodgson has made several attempts to re-sign Graham.

"It is an audacious move," admitted Hodgson. "Danny is back at Boro and we have made our interest known in him."

On the back of two straight defeats, the loss of Lafferty is ill-timed for Hodgson, who remains "100 per cent confident" of finding a replacement in time for Saturday's clash at Leyton Orient.

"It's a massive blow, but we have to respect the predicament Burnley are in," conceded Hodgson.

"People make comments about giving our youngsters a chance. But, when you look at the standard of players at other clubs, Kyle for example, do we have anything better? No, we don't.

"One or two of our young lads will get the opportunity, but now is not the time."

Lafferty watched Darlington reserves lose 2-0 to their Scarborough counterparts yesterday.

David Pounder and Neil Redfearn were on target against a strong Quakers side that included six first-team players.

Trialist Luke Maitland played most of the second half for Quakers, but Hodgson will not be following up his interest in the former Luton Town striker.

Midfielder Anthony Peacock was Darlington's best player on his return to action following a calf strain.

Peacock has been sidelined for over a fortnight, but he will come back into contention this weekend.

Darlington: Norton, Casson, Janes, Appleby (Maddison 60), McLeod, Pattinson, Peacock, Stamp, McDermott, Sodje (Maitland 47) Subs (not used): Parkin, Hughes, Richard Logan.

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