ANY hopes Darlington manager David Hodgson had of re-signing Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu ended yesterday when the striker joined Gillingham in a two-year deal.

The 23-year-old was released by Cardiff City earlier this week and Hodgson had expressed an interest in re-signing the Congolese forward.

However, the striker will be playing in League One next season after joining the Gills.

Hodgson has made it clear he would like to sign three strikers during the summer and despite his acrimonious exit in January, the Quakers boss was prepared to hand Ndumbu-Nsungu a second chance.

The ex-Sheffield Wednesday forward was criticised by Hodgson at the turn of the year when he moved to Cardiff on a free transfer, despite verbal assurances that he would see out the remainder of the season at the 96.6 TFM Darlington Arena.

Ndumbu-Nsungu scored 11 goals in 23 appearances for Quakers last season. But, since moving to Ninian Park, the player has failed to hold down a regular place, making just four starts without scoring.

Meanwhile, former Quakers strikers Alun Armstrong and Clyde Wijnhard are also looking for new clubs after being released by Doncaster Rovers and Macclesfield respectively. Despite finishing as the club's top scorer, Wijnhard has been told there will be no new contract for him at Macclesfield. And, after making only a handful of appearances for Doncaster, Armstrong has been allowed to leave Belle Vue Ex-Newcastle forward Richard Offiong, who made nine loan appearances for Quakers during the 2002/03 season, has also been shown the door by Rovers, while Bobby Petta has been axed by Bradford City.