Craig Hignett will put the disappointment of being overlooked by Darlington manager David Hodgson behind him when he flies out to Cyprus next week.

Hignett last night spoke of his regret at the way in which his Quakers' career was cut short by Hodgson's decision not to offer the 35-year-old a new contract.

But, having agreed a ten-month deal with Cypriot side AEL Limassol, the former Middlesbrough forward is more than happy with the way things have turned out.

"I didn't hear from Hodgy at all, which was a bit of a surprise," said Hignett. "I was happy to spend another season at Darlington, so it was disappointing not to hear from him.

"I saw the gaffer at Craig Liddle's testimonial but there wasn't a lot said."

Hignett will fly out to Cyprus on Tuesday after spending the last nine days in Germany, training with AEL ahead of the Cypriot domestic season, which kicks off on August 28.

"Everything has been agreed with Limassol and I'm looking forward to the challenge," said Hignett.

While Hignett prepares to spend the twilight of his career by the Mediterranean, striker Alun Armstrong is leaving the door open for a Quakers return.

The 30-year-old is training with former club Ipswich Town after recovering from a hip injury but has yet to find new employers since his Quakers' deal expired.

"I bumped into Hodgy in Newcastle last week and he knows that I'm fit, it's just a case of waiting to see what happens," said Armstrong.

"Everything has gone really well and I'm feeling really good. I still want to play at higher level, but at the moment I just want to be playing football again."

However, after seeing a move to Colchester fail to materialise, Ipswich-based Armstrong will only return to the North-East with Quakers on a two-year deal.

"I would have taken a move to Colchester for a year because that's only down the road from where I live," said Armstrong.

"Hodgy was brilliant with me last season but he knows that I have a family to think about down here and there would be little point in uprooting them if I'm just at Darlington for a year."

Curtis Fleming's Shelbourne were dumped out of the Champions League last night, going down 4-1 at Steaua Bucharest. Fleming started the game on the bench.

l Chris Llewellyn is hoping for a more sedate outing at Victoria Park on Saturday than his last League One encounter at his new home.

Hartlepool United's new recruit has already witnessed the best and worst of his new club.

As a Wrexham player last season he was on the wrong end of a 5-1 demolition as Pool triumphed at the Racecourse Ground, but left the North-East a happy and bemused player in the return fixture.

Llewellyn had a hand in four goals as Wrexham triumphed 6-4 in March, one of the most bizarre games ever seen at Victoria Park.

Llewellyn, who is pushing for a debut at home to Bradford on Saturday, admitted: "It was one of the best games I have ever played in and I guess it's one the fans won't forget - luckily enough for me I was on the winning team on the day.

"I've settled in really well and the lads here have helped me along. There's a good dressing room here and you could tell that from the moment I walked into the club.''