Quakers may struggle to land signings (From The Northern Echo)

Quakers may struggle to land signings

10:57am Wednesday 16th December 2009

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KEVIN Richardson has admitted that Darlington will struggle to strengthen their squad as Quakers become an increasingly unappealing destination for potential recruits.

Since their appointment ten weeks ago Steve Staunton and his assistant manager have used their network of contacts to lure 13 players to The Northern Echo Arena and more business is expected next month.

The duo’s links with Aston Villa, Leeds United and Everton have helped bolster their squad and promising displays from loanees James Collins, Jonathan Hogg and Andrew Milne have been rare highlights during a dismal season.

Milne’s ankle injury in the 5-0 defeat at Torquay signalled a premature end to his spell from Elland Road, leaving six loan players still on the books.

Simon Thomas and David Davis have not featured in the last two matches suggesting they will be allowed to return to Crystal Palace and Wolves respectively when their loans expire next month. But Paul Harsley, Daniel Hall and Villa pair Hogg and Collins have impressed to earn an extended stay.

To help trim the wage budget, David Knight, Matt Plummer and James Bennett left last week but Richardson admitted Quakers face a daunting challenge in persuading players to join.

“That (players leaving) was with a view to hopefully bringing in a few during January, to try and improve the squad,’’ he admitted.

“Managers have to change a few things around and generate money here and there.

“The problem we have, with the predicament we’re in, do players want to come here?

Which is understandable, it’s their decision.

“Those that have come are doing their best and we thank the people involved at the clubs where they have come from.”

And the assistant boss outlined the problems of integrating loan players into the squad.

“New players haven’t got much time to adjust, time to get used to what the manager is trying to get across and time to get used to the level of football they’re play at,’’ he said.

“Before you know it, half of their time on loan has gone.

“It can be difficult for them even though they have been good enough to agree to come.’’

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