FIVE of Darlington’s first-team players will be involved in the reserves’ game today at Crook Town (3pm), less than 24 hours after playing at Bishop Auckland.

Peter Jameson, Liam Marrs, Arran Wearmouth, Harvey Saunders and Dale Milburn will all play for the second string at the Sir Tom Cowie Millfield Ground, in order to get some more minutes under their belt before the season kicks off in a fortnight’s time.

Of the quintet, only goalkeeper Jameson did not play in the first-team’s 2-0 friendly win at Bishop Auckland last night, with Adam Bartlett staying in net for the entire match.

Right-back Marrs played the first 45 minutes at Heritage Park, where Quakers won thanks to an own goal and a Leon Scott strike, while Wearmouth, Saunders and Milburn were all second-half substitutes.

Three trialists were used as substitutes against Bishop – Jordan Richards, Joe Wheatley and Scott Fenwick – and manager Martin Gray would like to take a look at them again on Wednesday when Darlington travel to Gateshead (7.30pm) and expect a tougher challenge.

Centre-back Josh Heaton, who has also been on trial, was unable to play on Friday due to illness.

After Saturday, Quakers’ reserves play at Seaham Red Star on Tuesday, when Tom Portas is scheduled to make his long-awaited return from an ankle injury.