BEING without a game this weekend is a frustration, admits Darlington manager Martin Gray, but should be beneficial to members of his squad who are recovering from injury.

While other clubs in Darlington’s division will play in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup, Gray’s men have a free weekend following a deeply disappointing loss to Lancaster in the last round.

Quakers quickly recovered, however, by beating Stalybridge Celtic 4-1 at the weekend so are now third, a point off the top, with 12 games played.

A trip to Brackley a week on Saturday is their next fixture, by which point Gray hopes to have Kevin Burgess (knee) and Phil Turnbull (hamstring) fit for action, while Josh Gillies and Peter Jameson have time to build fitness after their respective injuries.

“We’ve got a good 14 days now to get a few players back fit, rest a few up, and we’ll have Gary Brown coming back into the squad after serving his suspension,” said the boss.

“I’m not happy about having a two-week break because we know why we’re not playing this week, but at the same time it gives us chance to get players back on the pitch.”

Gray’s team has now completed over 25 per cent of their league fixtures, with 30 more to go, and he added: “It’s been relentless, the start to the season, and it’s taken its toll.

“But we’re at the right end of the table and challenging.”