TOMMY WRIGHT may have altered Darlington’s approach to a style less reliant on a tall striker, but he is looking forward to getting the best out of Mark Beck when he returns from injury.

He was pivotal in Martin Gray’s direct approach, and the former Quakers boss had hoped to take him to York City.

The move fell through due to a posterior cruciate ligament injury that Beck has had since pre-season. Despite the problem he played earlier in the campaign but is now on the sidelines.

When he returns it will be to a Darlington team that, since Gray’s exit, has not been so reliant on high balls to the front line.

“Becky gives you a different dimension,” said Wright, who this Saturday will take charge of Darlington in a home game for the first time when Brackley visit Blackwell Meadows.

“He’s not fit at the moment, but he doesn’t get enough credit for being a good footballer.

“Some people seems to think he can he’s just a head on a stick, but there’s so much more to his game that I’m looking forward to getting out of him.”

Beck has missed five of Quakers’ last six matches and Wright is reluctant to put a date on his return the player’s return.

“He’s doing stuff in the gym, and he’s about ready to run so he shouldn’t be too long,” added the manager.

“I don’t think he can set targets. The minute he starts running he will get a better idea. I’ve had injuries so I’ve said to him ‘I know where you are’, I’ll probably have a better idea than him when I see him run.”

Regarding Beck’s proposed move to York, Wright concedes “every player has his price”, but says there is no agreement for the player to leave once fit.

Wright said: “In the chats I’ve had with Becky he’s said he’s happy, he’s settled and focused on getting back on the pitch.

“There’s been no contact with York since what happened. Good players will always attract attention, that’s football, and every player has his price, but I’d like to think we can keep him and he’s happy where he is.”