DARLINGTON are back to full-strength and manager Dave Penney is looking forward to tomorrow’s game with promotion rivals Rochdale.

Snow was yesterday cleared from much of the Arena surface, but parts of the pitch last night remained frozen.

Groundsman Gary Ventress chose to leave snow on some parts of the playing surface to act as insulation and a decision on the game is not expected until tomorrow.

Should it get the thumbsup Quakers will be boosted by the return of captain Steve Foster from suspension, while strikers Liam Hatch and Billy Clarke are back from neck and hamstring injuries respectively.

With new signings Michael Flynn and Seb Carole set to make their debuts, thirdplaced Darlington appear to be in good shape.

Having lost to non-league Droylsden and lowly Chester during Foster’s three-game suspension, Penney is keen to see his team continue their good record against sides in the top half of the table.

“We’ve done ever so well against the top teams this season but let ourselves down against the teams that perhaps we should have done better against. Whether that’s a motivation issue I’m not quite sure,” said Penney whose training sessions this week have been affected by the weather.

“Rochdale are fifth and we’re in third so it’s a massive game and we’re looking forward to it.

“It’s a big game for us and them as they are up near the top with us. It’s important we do not let them move above us in the table.

“We’ve had a ten-day break, the players had a weekend off, but the training has been a little bit stop-start because of the weather.

“The training pitch has been rock hard so we’ve played on an indoor Astroturf and an outdoor Astroturf.

Hopefully we’ll be back on grass on Friday.

“The break has helped as we’ve had a chance to work on a few things in training this week. Recently all we’ve had chance to do is play games and recover.

“There’s been no chance for real, in-depth preparation for matches.

“We’ve done that this week, even though we’ve been knocked sideways by the weather.

“But the break has freshened the players and allowed us to get a couple more bodies in.

“Fozzie, Liam, and Billy are all back now so they make us stronger. Apart from Pawel Abbott, there’s only Robin Hulbert who’s doubtful as he’s got a back injury. So let’s just hope that we’ve got a game on.”