Penney expects winger to sign

11:09am Monday 18th August 2008

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DARLINGTON expect to add to the squad this week with an experienced international their target.

Franz Burgmeier is due to sign a one-year contract following a successful trial.

A Liechtenstein international with almost 50 caps, the 26-year-old has spent the last three years of his career in Switzerland where he played alongside former Quakers striker Gaetano Giallanza.

Burgmeier has been training with Darlington and attended the Carling Cup win at Walsall last week.

Speaking after Saturday’s draw at Notts County, Quakers boss Dave Penney was reluctant to reveal his target’s identity but admitted he is close to securing Burgmeier’s signature.

“Hopefully we’ll be bringing someone in,” said Penney.

“We’re quite close and his name might be a surprise to some people when they hear where he has come from.

“We always keep things close to our chest. We don’t tell anybody who we’re bringing in or where they are from as that can lead to disappointment if it doesn’t come off.”

Penney wants one or two more signings before the transfer window closes at the end of the month, though loans are permitted after that date.

But one area he need not reinforce is central defence. Ian Miller has proved to be a more than capable back-up to Steve Foster and Alan White, and entered the action after only 26 minutes on Saturday when White was substituted.

He has been suffering with a virus and was rested for the win at Walsall last week.

Penney said: “When Alan shouted that he would have to come off I thought he was struggling with his groin.

But he’s had a chest infection so he’s been struggling. We thought it had gone away but obviously it hasn’t so we’ll get him on some antibiotics.

“It meant Ian came back into the team. He did well on Tuesday and was unfortunate not to start today but was excellent.

“He is quicker than Alan and Steve but I don’t think he quite reads the game as well as the other two and his distribution isn’t as good either.

“But he is getting there and it’s not that long since he was playing in non-league.”

Former Darlington striker Tommy Wright made his Aberdeen debut on Saturday, almost scoring a header with his first touch before being booked for a rash challenge.