DARLINGTON are asking fans to help get this weekend’s game on at Blackwell Meadows.

They are due to face Chorley, though a pitch inspection will take place tomorrow morning, while supporters are requested to attend Blackwell at 12pm today with shovels to help get the game played.

Clearing public and standing areas of snow will be today’s priority, while fans are also asked to attend Blackwell at 8am tomorrow to help clear the pitch.

Darlington director John Tempest said: “After taking advice from the Blackwell Meadows groundsman, it’s likely that we will need to leave the snow on the pitch until early Saturday morning as it protects the pitch from any frost.

“At present a pitch inspection will take place at 9.30am on Saturday to determine whether the home game against Chorley will take place.”

Should the game go ahead, manager Tommy Wright could recall Luke Trotman, the right-sided defender having recovered from a hamstring strain, but knows Tom Portas can be relied upon to continue at right-back having done well there lately.

“Luke seems to be fine and ready to go,” said Wright.

“Tom is a midfielder, just like Leon Scott is and has had to full in elsewhere. Tom did unbelievably well against Salford and then again at the weekend at Alfreton.

“He has given us food for thought. It’s one to keep in mind because you know he’ll do a good job because he’s a good footballer.

“He has been unlucky with injuries, that hamstring strain keeps recurring and has stopped him from getting a regular run of games.”

Portas has played at right-back after Dom Collins last week suffered a hamstring problem that has not yet been fully assessed – he is awaiting an MRI scan – but Wright explained: “He’s still struggling to walk, so I think that says everything.”

Chris Hunter remains “two or three months away” having been sidelined since August.

Darlington this week brought in Aynsley Pears, a goalkeeper on loan from Middlesbrough, but there will be no further additions before tomorrow, says Wright.

“We’ve been trying,” he said. “If something really good comes up then we’ll move on it.

“We’ve got the numbers, if we didn’t then we’d get bodies in, but it’s not about numbers, I want more quality to add to the group, to lift the squad and the fans and until that becomes available we will not do anything.”