Darlington yesterday added a new goalkeeper to their squad for the relegation run-in.

With the threat of on-loan Peter Keen being recalled by Carlisle at any time, Quakers signed former Sunderland trainee Phil Naisbett on a free transfer.

Naisbett, 22, was born in Easington and spent three years at Sunderland before he was released. He had a brief spell at Spennymoor in the UniBond League before joining Exeter earlier this season on a short-term contract and was released without playing a first team game.

He has also played for Scarborough in the Nationwide Conference, and had trials at Hartlepool and Carlisle.

Naisbett has signed a contract for the remainder of the season and will be in the squad for tomorrow's home game with Scunthorpe.

Quakers yesterday received international clearance for their three French signings - but the earliest they will make their debuts will be next Saturday.

International clearance required to complete the deals arrived just after midday, but none will come into contention until the home game against Leyton Orient at the earliest.

Manager Gary Bennett said: "It's too early to put them into the team on Saturday or at Exeter on Tuesday. They've been training with us for a week and played in a couple of trial games against Carlisle and Scarborough and they looked very well.

"But we feel that they need a few more days before we think about League games."

Bennett had more bad news on the injury front yesterday, when he learned that full back Olivier Bernard won't be available for tomorrow's home game with Scunthorpe.

On-loan Bernard picked up a knock on his debut at York last week and went back to Newcastle for treatment. "We've been told he's damaged his ankle ligaments and will be out until later next week," said Bennett.

Meanwhile, Paul Heckingbottom is due to have an operation on his groin injury today, and looks likely to be out for the rest of the season.

Skipper Martin Gray, who hasn't played since the draw at Lincoln in January, has been suffering from a back injury, and will undergo a hernia operation to solve a long-standing injury.

Quakers could slip a place tonight in the table if Torquay win at Carlisle. Any other result would mean that Quakers will remain above their fellow strugglers.

l Former Sunderland striker Don Goodman, who was recently linked with a move to Feethams, yesterday signed for Walsall.