CRAIG RUSSELL is intent on relaunching his career with Darlington after earning a contract until the end of the season.

The 30-year-old's time in the game has been tormented by injury since leaving Sunderland for Manchester City in a £1m deal - a switch which saw Nicky Summerbee move in the opposite direction - in 1997.

The South Shields-born forward eventually moved to Scottish Premier League side St Johnstone on a free transfer in 2000, following several loan spells, including one with Quakers in 1999, where he scored twice in 11 starts.

But a serious knee injury curtailed Russell's career north of the border and he returned to England last year with Carlisle.

Now, after his release by the Cumbrians in December, Russell is looking forward to a fresh challenge with Quakers after grabbing the winner on his full debut, second time around, against Macclesfield.

"I'm back in the North-East where I want to be so it would be nice to stay longer," said Russell. "Ever since I left Sunderland it's been a case of stopping and starting for me.

"All I want to do now is look forward and do well for Darlington."

Since arriving to train with the club in January after an invite from former Sunderland teammate Martin Gray, Russell offered to play for the cash-strapped club for free in the hope of earning a contract.

And, after coming on in the 1-1 draw at Kidderminster in January, he has gone on to earn a deal until the end of the season.

"I'd left Carlisle and Martin (Gray) said that I could come along and train with the lads," said Russell.

"I got involved in the Kidderminster game, where we got a draw, and the manager asked me if I wanted to stay.

"I was playing for free and it was just a case of earning a contract.

"The manager asked me to stay until the end of the season and I was delighted to do that."

Read more about the Quakers here.