DARLINGTON manager Gary Bennett believes his side has 'ten cup finals' between now and the end of the season.

Quakers face promotion-chasing Leyton Orient this afternoon with six home games left in their struggle against relegation to the Conference and needing around nine points to ensure Third Division football next season.

Quakers are currently five points above bottom club Torquay and have games in hand on five of the six clubs below them.

"Every game between now and the end of the season is a cup final," said Bennett.

"The players have shown a lot of spirit and battling qualities in recent games and they must continue that way.

"We must make the most of our next two home games. With the way things are going at the bottom, we feel that maybe we need a further three wins to make sure of safety.

"So if we beat Orient and win on Tuesday against Southend, then the job is two-thirds done."

Bennett, however, will have to contend with an injury setback as David Brightwell is out with a groin injury, with Adam Reed likely to replace him in the centre of defence.

Striker John Williams will have a fitness test this morning, so Bennett has called up Frenchman Jean-Michel Cau as a precaution.

The injuries mean Bennett will have to make his first change for three matches.

"We've been able to field the same team twice in a row recently and that has helped the players gain more of an understanding. Being able to field a settled side makes a big difference."

But Bennett is undecided whether he should put Tuesday's scorer and crowd favourite Richard Hodgson into the team from the start, saying: "We'll probably make our minds up in the morning. We've got one or two options."

Right back Phil Brumwell has been playing through the pain barrier in recent weeks but won't pull out of the squad.

Brumwell, who returned to the club in the autumn after swopping Feethams for Hull last summer, has a pelvic injury which gives him considerable pain, especially after matches.

"The manager has told me to rest between matches, so I've been missing training," he said.

"We have both agreed that I shouldn't miss any matches. I want to play for the sake of the team and so I'll wait until the end of the season until I go into hospital.

"We're on a good run at the moment and the players are going out determined not to lose. The team spirit is really good and we're all pulling in the same direction.

"We've done a lot of work on team-play situations and that's helping us a lot.

"It's all in our own hands. One defeat in eight matches isn't bad, but we must keep that run going. A lot of teams at the bottom have gone on a winning run - I have never known it so wide open.

"In the past, somewhere between 30 and 40 points has sent clubs down, but we think we need to win three more matches to be safe."

Read more about the Quakers here.