DARLINGTON are ready to offer Bert Bossu first-team football by granting the unsettled goalkeeper a loan move.

Bossu has been a peripheral figure in manager David Hodgson's plans since joining the club on a free transfer during the summer.

The Frenchman has made just five appearances for Quakers this season, conceding 11 goals and doing little to enhance his chances of an extended run in the side.

With Sam Russell now fully fit and back in the side, keeping clean sheets in his last three games, Bossu has reluctantly accepted that opportunities will be limited this season. It was shortly after joining Quakers in August that Bossu joined Accrington Stanley on loan after expressing fears that the season could be spent playing second-fiddle to Russell.

Since Russell's impressive return to the side, Bossu has again raised doubts over when his next chance will come.

"Sam has done very well since he came back, which obviously makes it difficult for Bert," admitted assistant manager Mark Proctor.

"There is a chance that Bert may go out on loan again and I'm sure we will be speaking to the manager about the possibilities."

Meanwhile, Macclesfield boss Brian Horton has confirmed his interest in signing sacked Darlington striker Clyde Wijnhard. Horton held talks with Wijnhard yesterday over a possible loan move to the Moss Rose Ground.

"I've spoken to him," said Horton. "A couple of other clubs are also interested, so it's up to him now."

Blackpool made an approach for Wijnhard last week but a move failed to materialise, while Mansfield Town were also linked with a renewed bid for the Surinam-born forward. However, Mansfield caretaker boss Peter Shirtliff yesterday denied planning a move for the player, who turned down a loan switch to Field Mill shortly before Carlton Palmer's resignation in September.

He said: "I know Carlton Palmer enquired about him but he didn't want to come. I have no reason to think that view has changed."

Wijnhard's Darlington contract was terminated last week but to fulfil the criteria which would allow him to join another club outside of the transfer window, Quakers have retained the 31-year-old's registration details.

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