Tadhg Purcell makes his second Darlington debut today hoping for the same outcome as on his first outing in Quakers colours.

In January last year, the Irishman scored in a morale-boosting win at Rotherham and a repeat performance against Hayes & Yeading today would be the ideal scenario.

When he joined 20 months ago, Quakers had not played for five weeks due to frozen pitches and were rooted to the bottom of League Two.

"It was a frustrating period," he says, looking back on his first months in England after being brought to the club by Steve Staunton from Shamrock Rovers.

"There were a lot of changes at the club and with where we were in the table it wasn't pleasant, it was difficult.

"We didn't win too many games, but I have good memories of the time I had up here.

"It's been a learning curve, coming over here. I came to Darlington first and they were very good in letting me sign, I'd like to think I did a job for them and, hopefully, I can do it again."

The circumstances are different this time. The club are now in a different division and aiming for promotion, but after back-to-back defeats a win is required at the beginning of what both parties hope will be a mutually beneficial one-month loan.

Darlington need goals and Purcell needs games to prove his fitness after a year on the sidelines.

After leaving Quakers he signed a two-deal at Northampton, but in only his second start a tough tackle brought his blossoming career to a sudden halt.

He ruptured cruciate and lateral knee ligaments, though he does not believe the challenge was malicious, and is now keen to prove his fitness and get back on the goal trail.

He said: "The injury was just one of those things. I started against Reading in the League Cup and did really well, then it was my home debut against Wycombe and I got a bad injury after 12 minutes.

"It was a mixture of a bad tackle and a bit of me kicking for goal as well, a bit of my momentum and his momentum together. I don't think it was malicious, we were both going for the ball. These things happen.

"I've only seen the video once and I don't really want to watch it again.

"Ever since it's just been a case of coming back and it's been a tough road back. I'm playing now, I've had a full pre-season and a few games for a few different teams and it's been a case of getting out on loan. I've come up here for a month, hopefully I'll get a few games, stay fit and chip in with a few goals.

"You're judged on goals as a striker. You can have a terrible game, but if you get a goal people say you've had a good game, so that's the aim, to get a few goals."

The 26-year-old admits he kept track of Quakers' fortunes last season in what was the club's first year after Purcell and his team-mates were unable to prevent relegation.

He was one of four Irish players on the books, along with Simon Madden, Gary Dempsey and Patrick Deane, and he revealed his accommodation at Northampton differed somewhat to that during his previous stay at The Northern Echo Arena.

"My wife has moved to Northampton, we have a place there and it's a nice part of the world. It's a change from when I was at Darlo and staying in a cottage with three other Irish lads! But it's good to come back to a place I know and it's a pleasure to be here.

"It's all change since I was last here, that happens, but there are still a few faces I know.

"I kept an eye on Darlington last season. I've been speaking to Ian Miller about playing in front of 25,000 at Wembley, I should've stayed and played in that game! I'm sure it was a great occasion for the club and it was brilliant to see them doing well."

Although his loan is initially for a month, Purcell admitted his stay could be extended.

"I won't rule anything out," he said. "I can't play for anyone unless I'm fit and doing well, so if that means dropping down a level then it's something I have to do.

"I'd been hoping to start with a bang at Northampton, but it didn't work out like that. I've still got this year to get fit and hopefully I can start by scoring a few goals for Darlo and push them up the table."