Unless Darlington can persuade Alun Armstrong to sign a new deal, the eight-goal striker has played his last game for the club - but he has refused to rule out prolonging his stay at the Williamson Motors Stadium.

Negotiations between the two parties start today and Armstrong's agent, who has already hawked his clients' name around several clubs, will be speaking to Quakers boss David Hodgson. The striker says he would like to stay - if he's offered the deal he wants.

With his current agreement expiring this Thursday, Armstrong scored what could turn out to have been his last in black and white hoops during Saturday's 3-0 win over Leyton Orient, after which he went into the manager's office to discuss his future.

Armstrong has some decisions to make on several issues - both financial and the practicalities of living in Ipswich but playing for a North-East club - but he indicated that providing Darlington can meet his wage demands he would stay at the club.

Following several years of injury, Quakers have provided him with a chance to re-establish his reputation, although travelling from his Ipswich home, he admits, has been tough.

"I want to get it sorted quickly because I need to know where I stand," said Armstrong who will be 30 in February. "It would be great if I could get something sorted here because I've enjoyed my time but it's down to the finances at the club.

"My agent is going to ring the manager on Monday so we'll take it from there.

"But it's not just about money - I'm very grateful to the manager for allowing me to sign for Darlington but letting me train at Ipswich most of the week.

"I've got fit during my time here and been playing week to week and that hasn't happened to me for a long time, so I'd be stupid just to walk away for the money.

"Having said that, there are other clubs interested so I've got to speak to them, I've got to keep my options open. I've got a family to think of.

"I've been away from them a bit, driving up here for three days a week. I was getting the plane at first but that was costing me a fortune just parking my car at Stanstead Airport!

"Now I'm driving up and it takes four and a half hours which takes its toll after a while."

He said: "The other argument is: why leave a club that's on the up? This club is going to be promoted one way or another if we just carry on the way we are.

"Players like (Clyde) Wijnhard and (Craig) Hignett make a hell of a lot of difference to a team.

"The rest of the team get confidence from being alongside players like that and confidence helps you win games.

"It's been great to get back into the routine of playing matches and scoring goals - the gaffer told me it had been 1996 since I last played eight consecutive league games!"