CHRIS HUNTER makes a timely return to the Darlington defence this evening and he may be joined by a new addition to the squad if Martin Gray makes a signing in time.
Darlington face Workington at Heritage Park, three days after drawing with Stourbridge when Quakers had little choice but to field a makeshift defence.
DARLO DIARY: An excellent point against Stourbridge
Kevin Burgess suffered a calf strain in the warm-up and remains doubtful for this evening, Hunter served the last game of a three-match ban, while Alan White began his suspension for pushing a linesman a fortnight ago, something that still irks Gray.
The manager remains disappointed with the manner of the veteran defender’s absence, saying: “It just shows you how disappointing Alan White’s sending off was.
“The reaction from people was hard to believe – people thought I was being very harsh on Alan White, but Saturday justified it and shows why you can’t have him out of the team potentially for a lot of games. On Saturday we had to play lads out of position.”
Terry Galbraith played the full match at centre-back and was partnered in the first half by new arrival Anthony Callaghan, who swapped positions with designated left-back Leon Scott for the second period.
Gray’s emergency centre-backs had their hands full dealing with strikers Karl Hawley and Justin Richards, and the manager had words of advice beforehand.
“A defender is a defender, it’s just a case of playing ten yards in field,” he said. “You’ve got to deal with the first ball and as a centre-half you’re going to do a lot more heading and a lot more people will be moving off your shoulder, so you’ve got to make sure you’re aware of what’s around you. Don’t think you’ve got to step out with the full-back, be a defender.
“We had five or six players out against one of the best teams we’ve played this season, so that shows you the character we’ve got in the changing room, how tight they are and they endeavour to succeed and make sure we come away from games with something.”
While pleased with the performance of his scratch defence, Gray revealed immediately after the game that he hoped “to do some business”.
“We’ll be looking to strengthen the squad,” he said, although Matty Lovegreen could be an option. The teenage defender, who has been playing for Norton this season, has been ill recently but the manager rates him highly.
Most teams are playing this evening, including league leaders Blyth Spartans, who are a point ahead of Quakers.
Eighth-placed Workington defeated Darlington 2-1 in August and are unbeaten in nine league matches.
Meanwhile, Darlington will stage a fans’ forum on Wednesday, November 11 at the Blackwell Grange Hotel (6.30pm).
Gray will be in attendance as will director Dave Mills, who said yesterday: “I will be summarising many of the areas covered at the AGM for the benefit of those who were either unable or not entitled to attend the meeting, including a report on the most up to date return to Darlington situation.”
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