David Hodgson's cosmopolitan approach to finding a solution to his forward-line problem shows no sign of relenting as he today welcomes another foreigner to Darlington.

Strikers from across Europe tried their luck during pre-season training with Quakers with Senegalese, Dutch and Portuguese among those tried and tested.

And for the next week an unnamed Slovenian international will an attempt to earn a contract.

Although pleased with the work of Craig Russell and Matt Clarke who've been used as strikers in the two games so far, Hodgson is constantly scouring the market for talent with Gregory Pearson a possibility for a loan move while Canadian international Rob Friend remains in the manager's thoughts.

After training with the club last week, Quakers watched Pearson in action for West Ham reserves two days ago and Hodgson hopes to further assess him in Darlington's first reserve game of the season, at home to Scunthorpe on Wednesday.

Season ticket holders, who are admitted free to reserve games, should receive their books in the next few days and the club says supporters will have them in time for the second string's first outing of the season, at the New Stadium.

* Tickets for Darlington's League Cup tie at home to Barnsley went on sale to season ticket holders yesterday and will remain available until tomorrow before going on general sale on Monday. Admission prices for tickets purchased in advance are £13 (£7). Ticket office opening hours are 9am-5pm Monday to Friday and 10am-3pm on Saturdays.

* A Yorkshire author is hoping to track down former Darlington player Tommy Ward or a relative of the one-time Quakers star. Ward played for the Quakers in the late 1940s and early 50s before signing for Sheffield Wednesday and John Brodie, putting together a Who's Who of the Hillsborough club, would like to speak to anyone who knows of his whereabouts. He can be contacted on 01509 670633.

* Hartlepool United's managerial duo will be reunited next week.

Neale Cooper has had to perform touchline duties without right-hand man Martin Scott for the season's opening games.

Scott has been forced into the stands, as he serves a two-game touchline ban after being sent from the dugout in the final League game of last season at Swindon. But the pair will be back in tandem for Monday night's televised game at Huddersfield and Cooper admitted: "It's been a bit strange. But it's over now and we will be back on Monday. He's been in the stands, but there's ways of keeping in contact these days.''

Pool were linked yesterday with a loan move for Newcastle's Michael Chopra. Barnsley are interested in a similar deal and it is understood at least one Premiership side has registered an interest. But Bobby Robson is loathe to let the striker leave St James' and any hopes Pool have hinge on how much of Chopra's wages would be paid by his club.

Ex-Pool defender Mark Robinson has signed for Hereford.

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