DARLINGTON'S out-of-contract players will learn their fate today as manager Dave Penney begins planning for next season.

Penney has already deemed three players surplus to requirements at the Darlington Arena after Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu, John Brackstone and Kevin Burgess were all released by the club on Tuesday.

And more could follow today as the Quakers boss sits down with the remaining players who are out of contract this summer.

Among those are Clark Keltie, Neil Wainwright and Julian Joachim.

Quakers paid out a club record £100,000 for Joachim two years ago. His current deal expires this summer, although Darlington have a one-year option on the 33-year-old, which they are likely to take up.

After a largely disappointing first year at the Darlington Arena, Joachim has been a revelation this season and has made the right-wing spot his own.

Joachim's form has kept Wainwright out of the first-team picture this season, although the winger could yet have a future at the club.

However, with a reduced budget next season following Darlington's failure to achieve promotion, Wainwright may have to take a drop in wages if he is to remain at the club.

Penney is keen to retain the services of Keltie, who he rates highly and has been a prominent figure in the Darlington midfield this season.

However, the Newcastle-born midfielder has attracted interest from several other clubs and it is unlikely that he will make an immediate decision on his future.

Keltie has been at Darlington since 2001 when he was signed from Walker Central.

And with offers to play at a higher level, the 24-year-old may feel now is the right time to move on after making over 150 appearances for Quakers.

Scott Wiseman, Micky Cummins and Gregg Blundell are among those out of contract who will hold talks with Penney this morning.

Even those with another year to run on their current deals, including Alan White, Steve Foster and Tommy Wright, will be at the Darlington Arena as Penney plans to sit down and speak with the entire squad before the summer break.

The Quakers boss will then set about the task of identifying various transfer targets for next season, although changes won't be as widespread as they were last summer.

With David Stockdale expected to complete his move to Fulham, Penney will hope to have a ready-made replacement in Andy Oakes, who missed most of this season through injury.

Oakes, who has another year to run on his Quakers deal, will be fit to return for pre-season after a shoulder injury.

Stockport captain Gareth Owen will be fit to face Rochdale in the League Two play-off final despite suffering a broken cheekbone.

Owen had lengthy treatment from physio Roger Wylde for an accidental clash of heads during the club's semi-final victory over Wycombe at the weekend.

''I've broken my cheekbone and my eye's a bit swollen, but it will take more than that to stop me playing,'' he said.

''I've seen the specialist and he has given me the all-clear to play with a mask.

"If it gets me to Wembley I'll wear anything.''