GIVEN events of late, it would have been easy to overlook the fact Darlington have a game on Saturday.

Between one player going into rehab, another signing for Fleetwood Town and with next Tuesday’s meeting with Hartlepool United on the minds of some supporters, that Quakers are at home to Spennymoor Town has not been the sole focus of attention.

That is not the case for Tommy Wright, however, the Darlington manager who expects a tough game against Jason Ainsley’s promotion contenders.

He watched them play ten days ago, when a Moors side without former Quakers Jamie Chandler and Rob Ramshaw beat Kidderminster Harriers at the Brewery Field.

The game came three days after Darlington had also beaten Kidderminster, but as far as the National League North table is concerned there are not many similarities between Moors and Quakers.

They drew 2-2 early in the season, when a late Glen Taylor goal rescued Ainsley’s side, the clubs since operating in different halves of the table, Darlington recently climbing to 13th after some improved form, while Spennymoor are sixth and joint-top scorers with 51 goals in 24 games.

“The game’s been overshadowed a bit by what’s happened already this week and what’s happening next week, but Saturday will be a tough game,” said Wright.

“Kidderminster was a tough test for us, and so will the Spennymoor game be.

“I watched them play last Tuesday when they had three players out and had a very good win, and then they had another good win on Saturday against Sutton United in the FA Vase when Glen Taylor scored two absolute worldies.

“We know how Spenny will set up, I don’t think they’ll have any particular plans to stop us, we won’t be playing particularly to stop them, and it is set to be an exciting game.”

Along with their league position, Darlington’s spirits have lifted. Having endured a nine-match winless run that ended on Boxing Day, Wright’s side have now lost only once in six matches.

During the run of poor results Wright was not popular among some Quakers supporters, but he understands their point of view.

“All my friends and family are Leicester supporters, and I saw them turn on Claudio Ranieri three or four months after they’d won the Premier League title - if fans can turn on him then they can definitely turn on me!

“When you’re losing games you need people to stick with you, but I also understand supporters.

“Speaking from a player’s point of view, when you’re losing games and your confidence is a little bit low and people are after you, it creates an atmosphere where you can’t relax and express yourself, particularly when you’ve got young lads.

“I think we’ve got the best fans in non-league, the best fans that I played for. I get their frustration and I understand the players have to give the fans something to cheer about.

“Hopefully we’ve got through that tough patch and we can continue this momentum going and see where it takes us. The goal is the same, and that is to break into the top half and see what happens.”

With Liam Hughes unavailable until he leaves the Sporting Chance Clinic next month, Simon Ainge will continue in defence, while today is Harvey Saunders’ first match on loan to Quakers.

The 21-year-old striker joined Fleetwood Town on Wednesday for an undisclosed sum, understood to be a five-figure fee, but will remain with Darlington for the remainder of the season.

Darlington face a second-string Hartlepool United side on Tuesday in the Durham Challenge Cup at Blackwell Meadows, a fixture that some Quakers fans are keenly looking forward to.

Just over 1,100 tickets have been snapped up by Darlington supporters, a figure in contrast to Pools, have sold just over 100.

Wright has used the previous two rounds of the competition – against Esh Winning and Stockton Town – to select a handful of first-team players, but he hopes to select a strong side against Hartlepool.

He said: “Plans are dictated by what happens on Saturday – if lads get knocks or their muscles are fatigued then we’ll not risk them because Curzon next week is the priority, but the plan is to go strong.”