Left-back Alex Higgans will arrive for a trial with Darlington on Monday and should feature in Quakers' first friendly of the summer against North Shields 24 hours later.

The 20-year-old left-back was released by Queens Park Rangers last November where he made just one appearance as substitute against Wolves.

He has since spent time at Nationwide Conference clubs Chester and Stalybridge and will train with Quakers on Monday before playing at North Shields two days later when fellow trialists Danny Richmond and Ryan Valentine may also be given a chance to impress.

Darlington-born midfielder Richmond was with Shildon last season while Valentine has been released by Everton and could provide the answer to Tommy Taylor's left-back problem.

With Steve Harper and Paul Heckingbottom both leaving Feethams this summer, Taylor is in desperate need of a left-back and says Valentine has impressed in training this week.

"He's got pace, which is what we need at the club, and he's skilful so we're going to give him a game on Wednesday and we'll go from there. The same goes for Higgans.

"I'll give him a game and afterwards I'll tell him whether he can stay or whether he can go so that he knows where he stands."

New signing Matt Clarke will not be banned for the first game of the season despite being shown a red card while playing against the Quakers for Halifax towards the end of last term.

Clarke, who took part in his first Darlington training session yesterday, received a one-match ban for deliberate handball but served the suspension on the last day of the campaign.

He has signed a one-year deal with an option to stay for an extra year.

* Quakers' friendly at Durham City scheduled for July 16 as been cancelled as the New Ferens Park pitch will not be ready in time.

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