JAMAICA international Damion Stewart will not be joining Darlington after red tape wrecked his hopes of a move to England.

The defender was scheduled to link up with his new Quakers teammates this morning after agreeing terms on a deal until the end of the season.

While Jamaica is in the Commonwealth, meaning the Harbour View player would not require a work permit, the Home Office has intervened.

The 24-year-old recently helped Jamaica qualify for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, shortly after impressing on trial with Quakers.

"We've been down all the right avenues to bring Damion over, but there has been a problem with the Home Office," confirmed assistant manager Mark Proctor.

"We had intended to look at him until the end of the season, but it looks highly unlikely that he will be joining us now."

Quakers suffered a second defensive blow yesterday when it was discovered that Joey Hutchinson will require a second operation. The highly-rated 22-year-old has been sidelined since September after sustaining cruciate knee ligament damage. Hutchinson was due to return in a fortnight, but he will go under the surgeons knife this morning to repair cartilage damage.

"Joey will require another operation, but it only a slight setback," revealed physio Paul Gough.

Quakers reserves entertain Grimsby Town at the Williamson Motors Stadium this afternoon, with new signings Jonjo Dickman and Keith Gilroy both set to start. Ian Clark will play his first game since December after recovering from a double hernia.

Despite suspensions to strikers Clyde Wijnhard and Alun Armstrong, manager David Hodgson will not be adding to his squad before Saturday's visit of Boston United.

With Neil Wainwright also serving a one-match ban at the weekend, former Middlesbrough winger Gilroy could make his full debut against the Pilgrims.

Darlington reserves: Price, Mason, Fleming, Kendrick, Valentine, Gilroy, Dickman, Gregorio, St Juste, Parkin, Clark

*BBC Radio Cleveland 95FM is hosting a question and answering session with Darlington manager David Hodgson and skipper Craig Liddle at the Williamson Motors Stadium on March 14.

The evening will be hosted by the BBC's sports reporter Ian Kenyon and is free entry, although Quakers fans are reminded that spaces are limited.

Anyone interested in attending should call Kerry Sillett on 01642 340607 or via email at fansforum@bbc.co.uk Questions for Hodgson and Liddle can be posted in advance via the website - www.bbc.co.uk/tees