Boss demands greater return from strikeforce (From The Northern Echo)

Boss demands greater return from strikeforce

9:13am Saturday 4th September 2010 in

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MARK Cooper has demanded more from Darlington’s strikers, starting with today’s trip to Eastbourne Borough.

Quakers make their first ever trip to the East Sussex club aiming to maintain the momentum created by losing only one of their first six matches.

They defeated Gateshead on Saturday and drew at Barrow on Monday, with Paul Terry scoring in both games, and in doing so the midfielder matches the total number of goals scored by the club’s strikers.

Liam Hatch and Tommy Wright have contributed one each to Darlington’s total of six.

Hatch returns today after missing Monday’s 1-1 draw at Barrow with an ankle knock, but Wright will be out for four to six weeks with a calf problem sustained at Holker Street.

His injury increases the likelihood of Michael Smith keeping his place after he impressed in the last two games, teeing up Terry for both of his goals.

But Cooper said: “If Hatchy is right at it he can be a really effective player. We need him to add some quality around the box, as we do with all the strikers, because they have scored two goals between them this season.

“That’s not enough and we need to add to that tally.

“We want more from Hatchy. We need him to lead the line and look after young Michael Smith. Michael has done well but he’s got to add goals to his game. As a striker, no matter how well you play, you get judged on how many goals you score.”

As well as Hatch, also returning to fitness today is leftback Kevin Austin, who has shaken off the thigh problem sustained during the second game of the season, while midfielder John McReady has returned earlier than expected from a hamstring problem.

All three were part of the squad that travelled yesterday and trained in the afternoon at Chelsea’s training ground.

Their return reduces the number of players on the sick list, but Cooper remains without Wright, Gareth Waite, Ian Miller and Michael Brough.

With no midweek game until September 21, Cooper is looking forward to a less demanding fortnight, which should give his players a break.

“It will be nice to try to get a few players back from injury,”

he said. “We’ve got some good players in the squad and if we can get four or five of those injured players back we’ll be knocking on the door for promotion.

“We’ve got Liam and Kevin back in the squad. They’re both big players for us and if we can get the other ones back then it’ll be even better because that will give us competition for places.”

Meanwhile, Cooper is awaiting Bury’s verdict on teenage striker Curtis Main, who played for the Shakers’ reserves on Wednesday.

The 17-year-old is out of favour at Darlington and trained with Bury this week.

Cooper said: “We’re just waiting to hear whether they want another look at him.

“We’re not going to stand in anyone’s way if they want to go into League football – if the deal’s right for Darlington.

“It couldn’t be permanent until January so it would be a loan to begin with, but we’re a long way from that yet.”