OUT-OF-FAVOUR Darlington
winger Neil Wainwright is on
the verge of leaving the club
on loan for the second time
this season.
Last season's player of the
year has only been on the
fringes of Quakers' promotion
push and is due to join relegation-
threatened Mansfield
Town for an initial month,
though it could be extended.
The clubs have yet to finalise
the deal, though the 30-yearold
is expected to make his
Stags debut against Grimsby
Town tomorrow.
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Earlier this season Wainwright
was loaned to Shrewsbury
Town, who are one of the
sides second-bottom Mansfield
are due to play as they battle
against the drop.
They have drawn one and
lost nine of their last ten home
matches and Darlington will
be unable to recall the winger
during the first month.
Mansfield manager Paul
Holland said: "I met the player
in person last night. He is a
name people will know who
plays for another club in our
division. He is desperate for
first team football."
Quakers boss Dave Penney
has several players returning
from injury and feels he is in a
position to loan out Wainwright
who, following a fourmonth
break from first team
duties, has made six recent appearances
from the bench.
But with Richie Foran soon
available after hamstring trouble
and Penney confident of
being able to bring in a target
from a higher division if required,
the manager is happy
to see Wainwright go.
"We're getting there because
Richie played for the reserves
the other night, Ricky Ravenhill
(knee) is about a week
away and Przemyslaw Kazimierczak
(calf) could be back
on Monday.
"Clark Keltie is not a million
miles way so we're getting
there in terms of bodies and
it's important because we've
got a busy period coming up."
Darlington travel to Chester
City tomorrow with Foran in
the squad, although he will not
start, while Keltie is desperate
for a return to action in time
for the promotion run-in.
The 24-year-old is back in
training following medial ligament
damage to his right
knee, although he does not expect
to play for a fortnight.
Keltie has not appeared
since February 2 in a 2-0 defeat
at Wrexham. But after stepping
up his rehabilitation, he
is looking forward to playing
his part.
"It has been frustrating," he
admitted. "Sitting in the
stands watching the games is
never nice, especially at such a
crucial time of the season.
"Hopefully if my rehab goes
to plan I should be back in contention
in no more than two
weeks."
At the beginning of February,
Keltie was told he faced up
to a month out. But, because of
cruciate damage sustained in
2005, his return has taken
longer.
He added: "The physio told
me that I'd probably be out for
three to four weeks. But because
it was on the same knee
as when I did my cruciate it's
been delayed. The injury left
my knee feeling unstable so I
had to do a lot of weights to
strengthen the area.
"It's the most exciting part
of the season now and I can't
wait to be involved in the final
push for automatic promotion.
"The lads have done extremely
well, despite all the injuries
and suspensions we've
had, and I think we deserve to
go up automatically.
"It's really tight up there,
but with the squad close to full
strength now, I think we are
strong enough to finish in the
top three."
Darlington are fourth, seven
points ahead of fifth-placed
Stockport County, who play
this evening at home to Macclesfield
Town, while there is
also a first versus second clash
between MK Dons and Peterbrough.
A win for either side would
leave Quakers nine points off
the top.
Meanwhile, Kevin Gall, who
returned to Carlisle last week
following a loan spell at Darlington,
has joined Major
League Soccer side Toronto FC
on trial.
Posted by: Mike McClinton, London on 1:08am Sat 22 Mar 08
This is a big blow for many followers of the club. I cannot understand what Penney doesn't like about the player. To me Wainy has always given 100%. i don't think he's looked good playing out of position when he's come on as sub. I think Joachim should be up front with Wainwright on the right
This is a big blow for many followers of the club. I cannot understand what Penney doesn't like about the player. To me Wainy has always given 100%. i don't think he's looked good playing out of position when he's come on as sub. I think Joachim should be up front with Wainwright on the right
Amazing. How can we let a contracted player leave on loan when we have so many loan players in the squad. Are we purchasing Foran at the end of the season is that why Wainwright has been allowed to leave.Voted player of the season i can understand why his confidence is low he should have had a run in the team to counteract it.Darlington are becoming a teamof loanies where the players introduce themselves in the tunnel on the way to the pitch.......
Amazing. How can we let a contracted player leave on loan when we have so many loan players in the squad. Are we purchasing Foran at the end of the season is that why Wainwright has been allowed to leave.Voted player of the season i can understand why his confidence is low he should have had a run in the team to counteract it.Darlington are becoming a teamof loanies where the players introduce themselves in the tunnel on the way to the pitch.......
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