Craig Liddle has lauded a pair of Darlington's embattled squad who are effectively paying to play during a period of uncertainty at the cash-strapped Conference club.

Kris Taylor and Marc Bridge-Wilkinson are two of five players who Quakers, without explanation, did not pay at the end of November.

James Walshaw and Adam Quinn were also affected, though they are on loan Halifax and Alfreton respectively, while Exodus Geohagon has joined Dagenham & Redbridge.

The move came amid chairman Raj Singh's wage reduction process, through which he aims to reduce players' salaries by ten per cent while he also wishes to abolish various bonuses.

The situation remains unresolved with the players' union, the Professional Footballers' Association, this week brought into mediate between the squad and the club's officials.

In the meantime, Darlington-based Taylor and Bridge-Wilkinson, who lives in Yorkshire, find themselves in the situation of paying travel costs to attend training.

They have continued to put on their boots for Quakers, whose threadbare squad has meant every player's contribution is valued.

Taylor and Bridge-Wilkinson have earned praise from caretaker boss Liddle, who has used both heavily during his nine games in charge so far and is likely to name them both in the squad for today's home game with Cambridge United.

Liddle said: "They've never missed a day's training. They're still training, still playing and giving everything they've got, which is a credit to their professionalism.

"They've gone about their business and you wouldn't know any different. Once they set foot on that pitch they've given as much as anyone else so they deserve a massive amount of credit."

With Paul Arnison suspended for last week's FA Trophy tie at Grimsby Town, Liddle had to field the left-footed Taylor as an unorthodox right-back.

He added: "He slotted in at right-back and I thought he did really well. He's comfortable on the ball, he kept the ball for us and did a great job.

"He said he'd never played there before, but he just got on with it and was willing to do a job for the team, which I thought was admirable.

"When you're down to what we've got in terms of numbers, you need everybody pulling in the same direction so for him to do that was a massive help for me and the team."

Arnison returns today and with Jamie Chandler and Liam Hatch also available, having missed the trip to Grimsby, Liddle has scope to make significant changes against fifth-placed Cambridge.

At Blundell Park, eight of Darlington's 16 on duty were teenagers, while youth team right-winger Danny Lambert also travelled.

Liddle said: "Looking around on the bus it was like a youth team game. The bus was full of kids.

"Saturday will be a little bit different because I'm able to call on a few more experienced players and I think you need to be able to do that in this situation, just to help the kids along.

"The senior players have been in the youngsters' situation. They've been in their shoes so they know that you do need some guidance and some help, especially when they're out on that pitch."

One of the younger players is play-maker Dale Hopson, who Liddle says is playing too well to be rested, despite the fact he would like to give the 19-year-old a break.

He said: "A lot has been made of Dale Hopson and last week he was our best player so I'm in a difficult situation. I've got to try and look after him in terms of his development, but you can't leave your best players out.

"He doesn't want to be left out, he wants to continue playing, but in an ideal world he wouldn't be in the side. We'll probably have to go with Dale again and when we get to the window in January everybody at the club - players, staff, commercial, etc - will have a better idea where we're at."

Also among the younger element of last week's team was Scott Harrison, who is likely to resume youth team duties in this morning's under-18s game against Hartlepool United.

Harrison will make way for Lee's return to centre-back now that Hatch is available, after reporting ill last weekend, and his presence in attack has been sorely missed.

Darlington's sole goal in their last four matches was a Bridge-Wilkinson penalty at Wrexham.

Liddle added: "Liam's our only fit striker so it's good to have him back. We've not scored in the last three games, but in two of those games we've had to play with a centre-half at centre-forward.

"The stats don't look good, but the true picture is that when you're playing with a centre-half up front - who has done really well in that role - that's what you're going to get if you've not got a striker.

"We're still creating chances which is a positive thing, so hopefully on Saturday Liam will get on the end of one of them."