Darlington will finally welcome David Dowson back into the squad when they face Burscough at Heritage Park tomorrow.

Top-of-the-table Quakers’ bid to extend their winning run to eight matches will be boosted by Dowson’s return after being sidelined for two months with a hamstring problem that has seen him miss ten league fixtures.

He has not featured in a league match since August 25, the 7-0 win over Kendal Town, and also missed two cup matches.

Manager Martin Gray said: “David trained twice this week – we had two training sessions as we had no midweek game - so he’ll be in the squad for the weekend.

“He would be a miss to anybody’s team, so I’m pleased to have him back. He brings loads of energy to the team and it’s infectious.

“He might have to wait for his chance to get back into the team, we’ll see.”

As well as Dowson, also available will be defender Gary Brown and striker Graeme Armstrong, both of whom missed last Saturday’s victory in the FA Trophy at Radcliffe Borough.

Brown has overcome illness while Robinson could not be selected last weekend having suffered concussion in the club’s match with Ossett Albion three days previously.

Tomorrow’s match is Darlington’s last of the month and marks the end of a period of eight fixtures against clubs in the lower half of the division.

In November Gray’s side face games promotion challengers Spennymoor Town, Northwich Victoria and Lancaster City, as well as a Trophy tie away to Scarborough Athletic.

n At tomorrow’s game the Darlington CIC shall be collecting food to be donated to the King’s Church food bank.

Non-perishable food such as rice, pasta, tinned goods, uht milk are all welcome for the collection, with donations taken at both turnstiles.