AFTER releasing six more players yesterday, Dave Penney insists he will be opting for quality rather than quantity when strengthening his Darlington squad this summer.

Clark Keltie, Julian Joachim, Micky Cummins, Neil Wainwright, Scott Wiseman and Sean Reay were yesterday informed by Penney that they will not be offered new contracts.

Nine players have now left the club since the season ended. Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu, John Brackstone and Kevin Burgess were released on Tuesday, and 13 players now remain on Darlington's professional books.

But any repeat of last summer, when Penney signed 11 players, is unlikely with chairman George Houghton reducing the playing budget for next season.

However, Penney remains confident he can attract the right players and he believes the key to mounting a sustained promotion bid next season is experience.

Steve Foster and Alan White are two players who have demonstrated their credentials at a higher level, and both have proved astute signings. Penney will hope to add more players of that calibre during the summer.

"This is always a tough time of year for any manager, having to tell players that they no longer have a future with the club," said Penney. "Tough decisions have had to be made when it comes to doing what is right for the club.

"We have got to keep on developing the squad because you can't afford to stand still in football. If you do then you will fall behind the rest.

"I am hugely ambitious and, despite the play-off heartbreak, I start to prepare for next season when I will be challenging the players to go one step further and achieve automatic promotion.

"There may not be a significant number of new faces coming in, but the quality of player will improve and I hope I can spring a surprise or two.

"I need players who have the mental toughness to cope with life in League Two or who have experience in a higher league."

Andy Oakes and Tim Ryan fall into that bracket, and having missed most of this season through injury, Penney will be boosted by their return.

Przemyslaw Kazimierczak, who made just one appearance for Darlington last season, is highly-rated by Quakers goalkeeper coach Andy Collett. And the 20-year-old Pole will compete with Oakes for the No.1 jersey.

The departure of fans' favourite Wainwright will come as little surprise as the winger struggled to hold down a place.

He played five games on loan at Mansfield and the Stags are believed to be keen to sign the 30-year-old on a permanent basis.

Keltie yesterday ended his seven-year association with the club after making 179 appearances for Quakers. Hartlepool United are the latest club to be linked with the Newcastle-born midfielder, who has attracted interest from Oldham.

Cummins and Wiseman have also been told to look for new clubs, just five days after playing for Quakers in the play-off defeat at Rochdale.

Nine of the 13 who featured at Spotland have now left the club.

Joachim, who joined Darlington for a club record £100,000 in August 2006, wants to be closer to his family, with Lincoln alerted by his availability.

Reay, who came through Darlington's youth ranks, made five appearances for the first-team.

While Penney will scour the higher leagues this summer, he has also outlined the importance of bringing players through from the club's youth team, which is now in the hands of former Darlington defender Craig Liddle.

"The future of this club also lies in developing our youth system," said Penney. "We have already seen evidence this season that the young players can have a part to play.''