DARLINGTON manager David Hodgson is relishing this afternoon's clash with League Two strugglers Shrewsbury Town by declaring: "We have a score to settle."

Less than a month after Quakers suffered their heaviest defeat of the season at Gay Meadow, fourth-bottom Shrewsbury pay their first visit to the Williamson Motors Stadium with a defiant word of warning from Hodgson ringing in their ears.

Still reeling from Shrews boss Gary Peters' post-match comments that Quakers ran around like "11 headless chickens", Hodgson is desperate to set the record straight today.

"The comments made after the game in their local press really hurt me," said Hodgson. "If we go and win 4-0 on Saturday I won't be making any derogatory comments towards Shrewsbury.

"We have a score to settle and a chance to make amends after the performance down there.

"To concede four goals was devastating and put a big dent in what was a very good defensive record.

"We now have an opportunity to put that to bed by winning this match. It's still very tight at the top so we have to make sure we win."

Quakers remain sixth after last week's 1-1 draw at Northampton Town. However, with the four teams below them having a game in hand, Hodgson has underlined the importance of strengthening their position in the top seven.

"The players will have more belief in themselves if we can create a gap over teams below us," said Hodgson.

"If we can do that by stringing a good run together then we will go into the last 15 games knowing we're almost there."

Shrewsbury midfielder Jake Sedgemore insists his side hold the upper hand today after their last meeting.

He said: "That was a fantastic afternoon for us and I feel it may give us a psychological edge going into the game because we know we are capable of beating them."

Shrewsbury returned to the Football League at the first time of asking last season via penalties in the Conference play-off final.

However, their League Two stay may prove just as brief, although Peters will be hoping the appointment of Mick Wadsworth as assistant manager this week will boost their chances of survival.

Wadsworth, who spent two seasons assisting Sir Bobby Robson at Newcastle United, left Beira Mar in September after four months in charge of the Portuguese side.

During that spell Wadsworth worked briefly with Quakers' striker Clyde Wijnhard, before the Dutchman returned to England for a trial with Sunderland.

"Mick wanted me to stay but I told him that I couldn't work at a club which wasn't being run professionally," said Wijnhard. "I had no problem with Mick but the chairman just had no ambition.

"He came to Beira Mar at the end of the season in May, but I'd already really made my mind up to leave."

Quakers are sweating on the fitness of Wijnhard, who faces a late test on a hip injury. Craig Hignett is standing by for a recall after recovering from a virus and could partner Alun Armstrong in attack if Wijnhard misses out.

Matt Clarke has recovered from a groin injury and Brian Close has been passed fit following a calf problem.

Adolfo Gregorio is fit after a knee problem and keeps his place in the Quakers midfield after netting in his last two starts. Hodgson has challenged the Californian midfielder to make it a hat-trick this afternoon.

"I hope he makes it three in three, although he wasn't a player we were expecting many goals from," said Hodgson. "It's good that the midfield are chipping in with goals because it takes a little bit of a pressure off the forwards."

Transfer-listed striker Duane Darby will make his first appearance for Shrewsbury since coming on as a late substitute against Quakers last month. Darby earns a recall in the absence of John Grant (family bereavement) and Luke Rodgers (suspended).

* Jamaican defender Damion Stewart will remain on trial for another week. However, Hodgson has confirmed that he will not be following up his interest in French midfielder David Ramo and Lithuanian international Grigalevicius Mindaugas.

"David isn't quite what we're looking for and for the amount of time Mindaugas was going to spend with the club, the expense of flying him over and taking care of accommodation wasn't worth it," said Hodgson.

The Quakers boss has now turned his attentions to Slovenian striker Tomislav Misura, who will train with the club next week. Misura plays in Austria for Admira Wacker Mdling.

l Darlington's title-winning youth side will be featured in next Saturday's Northern Echo Sport and Motors.

Martin Gray's youngsters will be presented with a trophy before today's game from Darlington Building Society after claiming the North-East Conference title at Bradford last week. The team play Doncaster Rovers at the Racecourse, Durham, this morning (11am)

Read more about the Quakers here.