Darlington boss Tommy Taylor says the club's visit to the Isle of Man has done little to help shape his team selection - because he already knew his best XI prior to this week's successful sojourn which ends with today's final against Wrexham.

As just 16 players made the trip, with Mark Ford and Mark Sheeran joining on Wednesday, Taylor has been limited in his choice of line-up this week which has seen Quakers chalk-up victories against the host club and Rochdale.

In fact, because of minor injuries, against Rochdale on Tuesday Darlington's two substitutes were Neil Wainwright and 45-year-old assistant manager Mick Tait. But this has been of little relevance to Taylor, who already knows what his chosen line-up for the League opener at Cambridge in two weeks' time will be.

Taylor said: "I know what the team will be on the first day of the season if everybody is fit.

"The week in the Isle of Man hasn't really helped me decide who is in that XI and who isn't because I already knew that before we came here. But it has been very good to get all the lads together - I think you call it a team-bonding exercise these days!

"They've all been superb this week in training and the matches, especially against Rochdale the other night."

Ford has been a Darlington regular since joining from Torquay in February 2001, but he will miss the beginning of the campaign through suspension after receiving a red card on the final day of last season at Oxford.

Taylor admits Ford would have started at Cambridge were it not for his dismissal at The Kassam Stadium.

"Ford would be in my team, but he's going to miss the first four games of the season," said Taylor.

"Ford's been on fire all pre-season and that's what makes him being banned for the start of the season even more annoying.

"He's a miss at any time, but he's on form right now, which is great but I just wish he was available when we start next season.

"But Ford will have to earn his place like everybody else. I would never leave someone out who is doing well just to bring Ford back in."

Quakers hold a 100 per cent record in pre-season games so far after wins over Halifax Town, Durham City, Newcastle Reserves, the Isle of Man and Rochdale and a win today against their Third Division counterparts would mark something of a turnaround.

Darlington last competed in the Isle of Man tournament two years ago and returned to Feethams with the wooden spoon after finishing bottom. Days later manager David Hodgson left the club.

Read more about the Quakers here.