David Hodgson last night stressed the importance of adding a striker to his Darlington ranks before Thursday's transfer deadline.

With eight games remaining Quakers hold a slender three-point cushion inside the League Two play-off zone after Saturday's 1-0 win at Grimsby.

Hodgson's attacking options are severely stretched, with ten-goal striker Clyde Wijnhard suspended for a further two games and Craig Hignett sidelined with a groin injury.

Strikers Kevin Braniff and Akpo Sodje are training with the club this week and will play for the reserves against Boston tomorrow.

Braniff, who has also had loan spells at Canvey Island and Rushden this season, is on trial from Millwall, while Sodje has arrived for a second spell from Huddersfield.

"We need as much cover as possible for the run-in," admitted Hodgson. "Both lads will play for the reserves and we will make a decision from there. It is likely that we will take at least one of the two until the end of the season."

Hodgson is also considering a loan move for a central defender after learning that David McGurk faces up to a month on the sidelines. McGurk will undergo surgery after suffering cartilage damage at Grimsby.

The Quakers boss is already without skipper Craig Liddle, who will be told whether or not he can carry on playing tomorrow, while Joey Hutchinson is out for at least another month with knee ligament damage.

"We've been told that David will be out for three to four weeks which is hugely disappointing," said Hodgson.

"Added to that we're already without Lids and Joey, so there is a possibility we'll bring another defender in."

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