DEAN WINDASS’ switch to Darlington has coincided with a move into coaching and he has already pin-pointed teenager striker Curtis Main as a player whose talents he can help hone.

Quakers’ assistant manager reckons Main who, at 17, is 23 years younger than Windass, has plenty of potential and believes the youngster could one day replace Darlington’s veteran striker.

“I watched Curtis train this morning and he’s definitely got something,” said Windass, who admits Darlington are still trying to bring a forward in on loan after missing out on Sunderland’s Martyn Waghorn and Joe Colback who both Championship clubs on loan yesterday.

“I had a chat with Curtis and I hope he listens and learns to do the right things, makes the right runs at the right time, and not just runs around all the time.

“There’s a right time to make a run and a right time to stand still. I’ve looked at his physique and for a 17-year-old lad he is frightening. He’s got a good body on him and if we can get him fit he could take my place there’s no doubt about it.

“If I can develop other centre- forwards at the club then they might not go far wrong.”

A groin injury means Main will miss the first games of the season at Aldershot Town on Saturday followed by the televised Carling Cup home tie against Leeds United on Monday.

Aside from helping develop Main’s talents, Windass is assisting manager Colin Todd with training the first team squad, as is youth coach Neil Maddison.

Windass has taken to his new responsibility, saying: “Everybody’s chirpy in training and enjoying themselves.

“The one thing I’ve always wanted to do as a footballer is enjoy my training. I always wanted good sessions to be put on by the manager.

“So I ask the players did you enjoy that? I used to say to a coach ‘can we do this, or can we do that?’. If you don’t ask you don’t get.

“I asked them this morning, was that okay, was that sharp enough for you, was that too long? And the players said they’ve loved every minute of it and everybody is in good shape.”

Eighteen players were handed squad number yesterday: 1 David Knight, 2 Paul Arnison, 3 Mark Bower, 4 Matt Plummer, 5 Steve Foster, 6 Ian Miller, 7 Jeff Smith, 8 Chris Lumsdon, 9 Lee Thorpe, 10 Dean Windass, 11 James Bennett, 12 Josh Gray, 13 Nick Liversedge, 14 Gary Smith, 15 Curtis Main, 16 Danny Groves, 17 Dan Riley, 18 Mark Convery