DARLINGTON’S wait for a new manager continues.

They have concluded interviews, having spoken to seven candidates across Thursday and yesterday, and have now given themselves time to mull over the important decision.

An appointment is expected to be made early next week, perhaps even tomorrow, so the new man’s first match at the helm will be Quakers’ game at Blackwell Meadows next weekend against Bradford Park Avenue.

Phil Turnbull and Gary Brown continue to take care of first-team affairs, so they will be in charge for today’s game at game at Nuneaton Town, who are managed by former Darlington striker Tommy Wright.

Wright has been linked with the post, which was vacated by Martin Gray at the beginning of last week, when he left to become boss at York City, though The Northern Echo understands neither Whitby Town boss Chris Hardy or Craig Hignett are in the running.

Ex-Hartlepool boss Hignett missed out on the Gateshead job early this week and, after initially expressing an interest in replacing Gray, decided against applying Whoever Darlington appoint, their next manager will inherit a squad intent on reaching the play-offs, says Turnbull, though a striker is needed, admitted the stand-in manager.

Turnbull and Gray, both senior players, were handed the responsibility of taking training and picking the team in the aftermath of Gray’s departure, and they oversaw last Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Stockport County, which saw the team concede an injury-time equaliser.

Despite the late goal it was a morale-boosting day for Darlington.

They put in a good display, employing a patient approach, though Nathan Cartman and Harvey Saunders were unable to take the few chances that came their way, not for the first time this season Quakers found wanting in front of goal.

Turnbull said: “There’s a solid foundation there. Whoever comes in will want to stamp their authority and maybe want to get a couple of signings in and, in all fairness, I think that’s what we need.

“We are maybe one centre-forward away from really challenging again.

“That’s what we’ve lacked this season. It’s common knowledge that we’ve not taken chances when we’ve had them, and if we had had someone this season a bit more prolific we would be right up there amongst it.

“It’ll probably be the first priority of the new manager, but beyond that he’s got strength in depth in defence and in midfield, it’s just really the front line where we need a little bit more.”

Darlington’s squad is largely unchanged from that which finished in a play-off position last season, though last week they lost David Ferguson to York.

“When a new manager comes in everyone is on a clean slate and it’s a time to impress,” Turnbull added.

“It’s a play-off squad – we got to the pay-offs last year. We’ve lost Fergy and Mark Beck’s injured, so that’s the reason a forward is needed, but beyond that there’s a play-off squad there.

“The mentality of the lads is that we want the play-offs. It’s not a squad where we’re thinking survival will do.

“Our objective is play-offs and anything less would be a real disappointment.”

The new manager will be able to call on Kevin Burgess as he is back in contention following Gray’s exit, the former manager having put the defender on the transfer list.

Burgess has now served a three-match ban so is available today, though Brown’s recent concussion-related issue means he will be on the bench at best.

Turnbull added: “If Browny and I weren’t in charge he might have taken a risk, but there’s not a lot we want to change anyway after last week.

“He potentially comes into the squad, but if he does it would be on the bench.”

Chris Hunter remains sidelines with ankle ligament damage, and James Caton will not be involved due to a groin issue sustained in the 1-1 draw at Boston United three weeks ago.

The match was one of ten in their last 11 league games Darlington have failed to win, though they are 11th in the table.

Nuneaton’s form is similarly poor, Wright’s men winning only one of their last seven league games and just three all season to leave them 18th in the table.

Seven days ago they lost a nine goal-thriller 6-3 to Blyth Spartans, for whom former Quaker Dale Hopson scored a hat-trick. The treble took Hopson’s tally for the season to eight, and he was yesterday named Blyth’s player of the month for September.

Hopson came through the ranks at Darlington in 2011-12, a season that Wright started with Darlington, but did not feature as then manager Mark Cooper was keen for him to move on.