DAVID HODGSON has set a deadline of the end of the May for Darlington's out-of-contract players to resolve their futures at the Williamson Motors Stadium.

Hodgson has 14 are mulling over one-year deals, offered last Wednesday - the same day eight were released.

Defender Matt Clarke rejected Quakers' initial one-year offer, while Craig Hignett and Alun Armstrong are yet to hold talks with Hodgson.

Neil Maddison will extend his stay for another season in a player-coach capacity, while Hodgson could still offer Curtis Fleming another year when the squad reassembles in July.

However, Hodgson's immediate plans will be to retain the services of almost half of his squad.

Considering one-year deals are Ryan Valentine, Joey Hutchinson, Neil Wainwright, David McGurk, Sam Russell, Brian Close, Adrian Webster, Jason St Juste, Jonjo Dickman, Matty Appleby, Akpo Sodje and Adolfo Gregorio.

Ideally, Hodgson would like to conclude talks before leaving on a family holiday at the end of the month.

"I've given everybody a time scale of up to a fortnight to decide what they want," said Hodgson. "There is a lot to talk about, but hopefully we'll have a better idea at the end of the month."

Hodgson is likely to make Clarke a final offer, although that could still fall short of the defender's wage demands.

There is a strong possibility that Hignett will extend his stay for another season, although Armstrong looks almost certain to leave.

Armstrong would like to play for a bigger club and believes he can still perform in the Championship or League One. He is willing to talk terms with Quakers, but like Clarke, Hodgson is unlikely to give in to the 30-year-old's financial requirements.

Hodgson was in France and Belgium at the weekend to run the rule over potential signings and he last night revealed he could follow up his interest in two French strikers.

The Quakers boss has also been keeping tracks on an oversees international winger, who could arrive on trial in July.

* Former Darlington boss Brian Little is looking to Canadian international Iain Hume to try and edge past Hartlepool in tonight's play-off semi-final.

Pool have a two-goal lead after Adam Boyd bagged a brace last week.

But Tranmere manager Little has serious eyes on a fightback and is convinced his own promising striking talent can lead the way.

Hume has struck 16 goals in Tranmere's rise to third in League One but is without a goal in six matches.

And Little insists the 21-year-old can deliver a performance just like Boyd's display last week.

"Hartlepool looked more dangerous up front than we did on Friday and that was mainly down to Adam Boyd," said Little.

"Adam is a good player and has scored a lot of good goals this season. We have Iain Hume who has been sparkling this season at home and - perhaps a little like Hartlepool - maybe it will be Iain on Tuesday.

"We will be looking to Iain and hopefully he can show the sort of form to his fans which Adam showed in the first leg.

"They won 2-0 but it's just as winnable on Tuesday to take the game to extra-time at least."

Read more about the Quakers here.