DARLINGTON are due to be handed a double boost ahead of the Easter weekend with two key players set to declare themselves available for duty.

Reece Styche and Dave Syers have been injured this week, and with games against Southport on Saturday and Spennymoor Town on Easter Monday manager Tommy Wright needs both back in the squad.

Styche started last Saturday’s game at AFC Telford United but was replaced at half-time with a calf strain, where Syers missed the match entirely.

The game ended 0-0, Quakers looking blunt in attack without the pair in tandem in the final third.

However, Wright said today: “A worst case scenario is that both are going to have late fitness tests on Saturday, but I expect them both be available.

“I didn’t think we look the same team without them. When one of them is missing the other one seems quiet, but it is important that, when you’ve got a squad, your subs take their opportunity and as of yet I don’t think them lads have taken that opportunity.

“Styche and Syers pick themselves when fit, so it is a real challenge to the rest of the players to take their chance when given it.”

Whether Styche and Syers will be able to start tomorrow and Monday is another issue, and Wright admitted: “We’ve got two games in three days and it’s very unlikely that both players will be able to play in both games.”

Phil Turnbull is unavailable tomorrow as he attends the wedding of his twin brother Stephen.

Meanwhile, tickets remain on sale for tomorrow evening’s fundraising event for the club’s supporters group, which will see Darlington’s chief executive David Johnston take to the stage as leader singer of his punk band.

Silly Things perform at the latest Darlington FC Supporters Group fundraising event at the Cleveland Club, Neasham Road, Darlington.
Tickets are £5 and available from the Supporters group table in the bar at Blackwell Meadows.