JOSH GILLIES has handed Darlington a double boost by agreeing a new deal and declaring himself available for tomorrow’s match with Stalybridge Celtic.

He has been struggling to shake off a hamstring strain, which kept him out of last Saturday’s FA Cup defeat at Lancaster City, but is in Martin Gray’s squad for tomorrow’s fixture at Heritage Park.

Of greater significance, however, is the play-maker committing to Quakers by signing a contract keeping him at the club until the summer 2019.

He has turned in a number of noteworthy performances since arriving on the eve of the season, with his stand-out match being at home to Alfreton in August when he scored twice from free-kicks.

The former Carlisle United player joined Darlington having been a free agent after turning down a contract offer at Gateshead at the end of last season, and then going on trial with Kilmarnock and Northampton.

“He’s signed a two-and-a-half year deal so that’s very good news,” beamed Gray.

“He only signed a very short-term deal in the summer, so a few days ago I sat him down and he’s now committed to a much longer contract.

“I would think there’s been other clubs looking at him, but he wanted to come to us in the summer to see what we were all about. We wanted to see him too, and there’s no questioning, when he’s been fit, the quality he’s shown.

“He’s exactly the calibre of player that I was looking for to hopefully take us to the next level.

“He’s got the ability to player higher and he’s played higher in the past, so I’m just delighted that he’s committed his future to us, it was really important.”

Gillies has missed four of the last five matches, the exception being a late appearance as a substitute a fortnight ago at Nuneaton.

On his availability for the weekend, Gray added: “He’s in the squad for Saturday so he’ll be looking for some game time.”

Phil Turnbull and Kevin Burgess remain sidelined, however, with hamstring and knee injuries respectively.