Darlington defender Neil Aspin has told his team-mates that they must be positive for the big kick off at Rochdale tomorrow.

As the dust finally settles on another eventful close season at Feethams, a determined Aspin thinks that the players are turning the corner.

"Saturday's game will be a bit different from the opening game of last season," he said.

"All the talk last season was of the big build up, but it's different this time round.

"There's been problems this summer, players have left the club and it's been an unsettling period.

"But I think the manager got the right response at Scarborough last weekend, so hopefully we can carry that further .

"We're under no illusions. We've lost some quality players in the summer, so it will be up to the players who are in the team to give a bit more, but we have still got some good players in the squad.

"We must put what's happened in the summer to the back of our minds, and give verything for the club.

"The play off final has been forgotten about.

"At the time, it seemed the worst thing imaginable, but I don't think there'll be any reaction to that defeat."

Aspin, meanwhile, is helping to run the reserves with Stuart Gibson.

"I've already got my UEFA B coaching certificate, and I'm hoping to sit my A certificate this year.

"It's a case of working with Stuart when I'm not involved with training for the first team.

"Usually, the reserves play on a Wednesday, and that's the first team's day off during the week, so that should tie in nicely.

"When a player's coming to the end of his career, he's got to look at coaching, but there are only so many opportunities at every club."

Tickets are still available for the game tomorrow, which is all ticket for Darlington fans.

Meanwhile, Frenchman Lenit Zegheane - or Lenit Zezu for short - has recovered from the knock he received in the reserves' 4-2 win at South Shields on Wednesday.

He should be fit for the reserve game at Grimsby next week where he will bid to impress again.

Bennett said: "Lenit certainly knows where the goal is, and is cool in front of goal.

"He's added a little bit of a different dimension."

Christophe Raymond will also play next week, and Bennett said: "He can pass the ball around and is pretty quick, but the game on Wednesday was an eye opener for him.

"I told him that's what he'll get all the time in England."

One of the other French trialists, whose name has not been disclosed, has returned home.

The arrival of the Frenchmen hasn't stopped Bennett looking for new players.

He is hoping to bring in a keeper and a centre-forward - both from this country - early next week as he bids to strengthen his squad for the league campaign.

Quakers have also brought in a new physio to replace John Murray, who has left the club.

Nigel Carnell was physio until 1996, before moving on to Sunderland and then private practice.