Darlington teenager Gary Williamson is set to get his big chance when he makes his full debut at home to Nottingham Forest in tonight's mouth-watering Worthington Cup tie.

Quakers have been hit by injuries in the forward line and manager Gary Bennett is set to hand the 18-year-old former Longfield School pupil is first full outing against David Platt's side.

Bennett revealed that forwards Ton Kaak and Lee Nogan are both carrying knocks, which is why he will call upon Williamson and Jesper Hjorth after his recovery from injury.

"I've got to think about the games we have coming up," he admitted. "We've got Southend on Saturday and another on Tuesday, so I don't need anybody aggravating injuries.

"I've got no worries about bringing in Gary. He's showed what he's capable of in our games in the Isle of Man and at Scarborough - now he's got the stage to show what he can do."

Bennett also scotched a report that Hull City - where former Darlington pair Brian Little and Kevan Smith are in charge - are interested in Nogan.

"I'm not aware of anything. They haven't been in touch with me. I'm happy to have Lee here, and I'm sure that Lee's happy with us. He's got a new lease of life."

Quakers have done well against higher division opposition in the Worthington Cup in recent years holding Bolton and Sheffield United at Feethams in the last two seasons and Bennett said: "It's important that we approach the game properly.

"I want us to continue the improvement we've shown in the first two games of the season. We won't be relaxing by any means.

"The players have set the standards, and I want them to show the form they displayed in Saturday's game, but we could do with a little bit more luck in front of goal.

Skipper Martin Gray, meanwhile, looks upon Forest, who were in the Premiership only three years ago, as one of his lucky clubs.

"When I was at Oxford, we used to look forward to playing against them," he said.

"We played them one year when we were near the bottom of the table and they were pushing for promotion and we won 2-1 at their place.

"I'm not intimidated by them, and I don't think the other players are either. We're growing in confidence all the time.''

Darlington (from): Collett, Reed, Aspin, Heckingbottom, C Liddle, Gray, Naylor, Elliott, Himsworth, Williamson, Hjorth, Finch, Angel, Hodgson, G Liddle, Campbell, Walklat