MICHAEL BRIDGES' wage demands could scupper any hopes Darlington have of signing the Bristol City striker.

The North Shields-born 27-year-old has been told he can return to the North-East on loan, providing Darlington cover the player's salary in full.

Quakers' boss David Hodgson last night admitted the club were in no position to meet City's conditions - leaving their move for Bridges in the balance.

After holding discussions with Bridges and Bristol City on Sunday, Hodgson revealed that the matter was now out of his hands and that the move could only be revived if the Ashton Gate club agree to share Bridges' pay.

Bridges was left out of Bristol City's squad for Friday's defeat at Swindon Town.

"At the moment we're just waiting for Bristol City to come back to us," said Hodgson. "The problem we have is that Bristol want his salary paying up in full, which we simply can't do.

"He's on a good basic salary, which makes it very difficult, but we will have to wait and see."

Hodgson was yesterday counting the cost of Saturday's entertaining draw with Wycombe Wanderers after several players picked up injuries.

Ryan Valentine (knee), Akpo Sodje (thigh), Matty Appleby (groin), Matt Clarke (head) and Anthony Peacock (calf) were all on the treatment table yesterday after taking knocks.

However, there was better news for Carlos Logan, who suffered no adverse reaction to an Achilles problem.

Hodgson revealed it would be another fortnight before midfielder Phil Stamp would be considered for first-team selection.

Stamp has made just one substitute appearance since joining the club on a free transfer last month. He suffered a recurrence of a calf injury in training last week.

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