ON trial defender Shelton Martis may have had less than 45 minutes to impress at the weekend, but the Dutchman may have done enough alreadyto earn a permanent move to Darlington.

While Saturday's bomb scare at the Williamson Motors Stadium may have brought an unexpected halt to Craig Liddle's testimonial game against Middlesbrough, Martis appears to have impressed enough to prompt manager David Hodgson to offer the former Feyenoord centre-half a one-year deal.

The 22-year-old, a sixth minute replacement for Liddle, is now back in his native Holland considering the move after impressing in Saturday's goalless first half against Boro.

Martis, who made 30 appearances for FC Eindhoven in the Dutch First Division last season, ensured the threat of fellow countryman Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was kept to a minimum.

"Shelton is a very good player," said Hodgson.

"He has plenty of pace, reads the game well and his distribution is as good as anyone at the club.

"We've had a good look at him in a couple of games and offered him a year with us.

"We've begun discussions with his representative and Shelton has gone home to think about it.

"He has been offered a year with us and hopefully we can reach an agreement some time this week."

Martis would become Quakers' fourth signing of the summer and Hodgson would still like to add two more before the start of the season.

A striker remains a priority after missing out on Swansea's Paul Connor last week, while the Quakers' boss is also on the hunt for a left-sided midfielder.

Congolese striker Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu will hope to impress Hodgson when he features against Bradford City tomorrow night. The 22-year-old was an unused substitute at the weekend against the Teessiders.

The ex-Sheffield Wednesday player spent the back end of last season with Colchester United and is available on a free transfer.

Greek defender Giannis Sfakianakis and Manchester City winger Carlos Logan will train with Quakers this week.

Logan made nine appearances on loan at Chesterfield last season, while Sfakianakis is available on a free from AO Kerkyra.

An 18-year-old Belgian striker will begin a trial with Quakers today after impressing Hodgson with his skills during a recent holiday in Cyprus.

"Our hotel overlooked a football pitch and this lad caught my eye," said Hodgson. "I went and had a word with him and he's agreed to come over for a few days."

While the teenager is unlikely to figure against Bradford City, Nathan Jameson and Anthony Peacock will get another opportunity to earn permanent deals tomorrow night.

The pair were due to figure in the second half against Boro and will now play some part against the Bantams.

While Jameson and Peacock missed out at the weekend, Hodgson was able to take plenty of food for thought from the 45 minutes that were played against Boro.

"We played well in spells, but I just thought that we could have kept the ball better," said Hodgson.

"I suppose when you look back we haven't done that bad against a side who have players who earn more in a week than the transfer budget I have for an entire season."

On the few occasions the Quakers' defence was breached, ex-Boro keeper Sam Russell was their equal, saving bravely at the feet of George Boateng, before acrobatically turning Ray Parlour's effort over the bar.

Russell looked beaten in the 30th minute when skipper Gareth Southgate struck the upright with a bicycle kick.

But, while Quakers' first half performance was one of promise, Hodgson was less impressed with the way in which the game was brought to an abrupt halt.

"What happened on Saturday was absolutely scandalous," fumed Hodgson. "I really felt for Craig Liddle because this was his big day.

"I find it ridiculous that somebody can pick up the phone and make that kind of call."

Darlington: Russell, Valentine, Liddle (Martis 6mins), Clarke, Duke, Wainwright, Appleby, Webster, Ferrell, Johnson, Wijnhard. Subs (not used): Jameson, Mason, McGurk, Peacock, Dickman, Thomas, Kendrick, Ndumbu-Nsungu

Boro: Schwarzer, Parnaby, Ehiogu, Southgate, Queudrue, Parlour, Doriva, Boateng, Mendieta, Hasselbaink, Viduka. Subs (not used): Jones, Reiziger, Johnson, Kennedy, Yakubu, Bates, Liddle, Hines, Nemeth.

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