Neil Wainwright has become the latest Darlington player to return to the club after signing a contract with Quakers - just over 12 years since he first joined.

The winger arrived on loan at this stage of the season in 2000 from Sunderland and went on to become a crowd favourite as a hard-working, pacy winger.

He made over 250 appearances before being released in 2008, but the 34-year-old, who has been with Kendal Town in the Evo-Stik Premier League, made it clear to manager Craig Liddle that he wanted to return to the North-East.

Wainwright has trained with Darlington this week and is ready to play a part tomorrow against 19th-placed Stockport County who are one place and four points above Quakers.

Liddle said: "He's been with Kendal Town, but they've agreed to let him go because they know his heart is here.

"He hasn't played for a while so it's going to be a big ask for him to do 90 minutes, but if I can get an hour out of him then I'll be grateful."

Wainwright has been given number 26 and joins a squad featuring two players who have also had a previous spell with Darlington, Clark Keltie and Adam Rundle.

Keltie is back four years after leaving and likely to make his first home start tomorrow since rejoining, while Rundle returned last summer, though injury will keep him out of action.

But Liddle last night revealed that Alan White has turned down the opportunity for a third spell at the Arena.

Liddle said: "There was no game last Saturday, but there's been no break because I've tried non-stop to bring players in. Every name that is thrown at me, believe me I'm aware of them and I've tried.

"Even players further down the leagues are under contract, the better Northern League players, so we can't do anything about that.

"I tried to get Alan White to come in to help us out, but he's at Harrogate Town and is not willing to come for a short period of time which is understandable because he's got a career and a future elsewhere."

However, right-back Liam Bagnall has returned to Sunderland as Paul Arnison is now fully fit while Liddle will also be without Dale Hopson.

Liddle added: "Aaron Brown and Ryan Bowman, fingers crossed, should be fit, but the game is probably a few days too early for Adam Rundle (calf). Dale Hopson (groin) and Danny Lambert (thigh) are both out so we really are short on bodies.

"With both Danny and Dale it's down to fatigue, the amount of games and training they've had to do at a different level that they're used to. It's something that was always going to happen and something I was always aware of.

"You've got to be mindful that they are kids, not men, and their bodies aren't physically ready to play week in, week out so these sorts of injuries are going to crop up no doubt."

Meanwhile, bids are invited on shirts that are being auctioned off at a race night being held tomorrow night.

A selection of items including Jamie Chandler's FA Trophy Wembley shirt as well as signed jerseys from Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United plus many more, are available.

And email bids can be made until 5pm today to commercial@darlington-fc.net before they are auctioned off tomorrow.