BOBBY Petta will make his Darlington debut at Bury this afternoon, aiming to repay the faith David Hodgson has shown in him.

The 30-year-old is desperate to get his career back on track after spending two months in the wilderness following his departure from Celtic in November.

Since leaving Parkhead by mutual consent, Petta has had several trials which have failed to bear fruit.

Millwall player-manager Denis Wise was keen on Petta before his chairman Theo Paphitis put a block on any deal, while Bolton Wanderers chose not to follow up their interest in the Dutchman after a trial last month.

Championship strugglers Gillingham showed a late interest in Petta, who opted for a move to the Williamson Motors Stadium on Monday, signing a deal until the end of the season.

Now Petta is relishing the chance to resurrect his career with Quakers.

"I've been given the opportunity to play and hopefully I can give Darlington something back," said Petta. "It's up to me to show what I can do, starting with Bury on Saturday.

"Everything just seemed to drag on when I left Celtic. There were one or two clubs interested and I had trials, but nothing really came of it.

"All that is in the past now and hopefully I can concentrate on doing well for Darlington."

Quakers lie eighth in League Two after last week's 2-0 defeat at fellow promotion candidates Southend. And just five days after joining the club, Petta is already focused on helping the club maintain its push.

He said: "This is the most important stage of the season, because a lot of things can happen between now and May. I will be working very hard to make sure we're up there at the end of the season."

Hodgson has yet to decide on whether to start with Petta at Gigg Lane, but assistant manager Mark Proctor admits he would be "inclined" to give the left winger his full debut.

Petta played in Wednesday's friendly with Queen of the South, coming off at half-time as a precaution.

"We gave him 45 minutes on Wednesday because we didn't want him to overdo it," said Proctor. "He's had a couple of days training and he'll definitely play some part in the game.

"We're not really sure whether to start with him or bring him on later on, but he's certainly in the frame. I would be inclined to start with him, but Hodgy will probably think the opposite!

"It's exactly the same situation as when Alun Armstrong joined us, where we gradually eased him into games."

While Quakers' five-match unbeaten run was brought to an abrupt halt at Roots Hall seven days ago, Hodgson's men may not have a better opportunity to bounce back against a club, which is embroiled in problems on and off the field.

The Shakers lie 18th in League Two, having won just once in their last 11 games. The club recently came to an agreement with the Inland Revenue to pay off a Company Voluntary Arrangement.

Bury earned a deserved 2-1 win at the Williamson Motors Stadium back in October, when a Quakers victory would have taken them into the play-off places for the first time this season.

"We owe Bury one big style because they beat us at our place when we were going quite nicely," admitted Proctor.

"We need to make sure we get back to being difficult to beat and start another run.

"Apart from the dreadful week we had over Christmas you won't find many sequences where we've been beaten back-to-back.

"Hopefully last week was an isolated result and we can get back to normal at Bury."

Hodgson will make at least one change from the side which lost at Southend, with Petta expected to make his Quakers bow as left-wing back.

Neil Wainwright played on the left at Roots Hall and he could switch to the right to accommodate Petta's inclusion.

Midfielder Stephen Thomas is included in Hodgson's squad after recovering from a hernia and a virus. Ironically, Thomas' last appearance came against Bury three months ago.

Skipper Craig Liddle has suffered no adverse reaction after returning from a two-month lay-off at Southend and will partner Brian Close and Matt Clarke in the back three.

Bury boss Graham Barrow, who himself is suffering from flu, has several injury worries to contend with. Matt Barrass (knee), Chris Porter (knee), Paul Scott (toe) and Glyn Garner (knee) are ruled out, while former Hartlepool United loanee Brian Barry-Murphy is struggling with a virus.

On-loan striker Andy Keogh has vowed to play in what could be his last game for the club after Leeds yesterday accepted a bid from Scunthorpe.

* Hodgson has confirmed that he will be appealing against his dismissal at Southend. The Quakers boss was sent to the stands by referee Andy Penn after protesting against a challenge on Liddle.

* Last night's results in League Two went in Quakers' favour. Northampton could only draw with Cambridge, while Swansea drew 1-1 with Southend.

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