AFTER stepping out of the football wilderness with Darlington, Robbie Stockdale hopes his return to the North-East will help place himself in the transfer shop window.

The former Middlesbrough defender is unhappy with the lack of first-team opportunities at Hull City and jumped at the chance to join Quakers on a month-long loan at the end of February.

Despite his recovery from Achilles tendonitis at the beginning of the season, the 26-year-old has yet to make an appearance for the Tigers.

But, after making his Quakers debut in the 1-0 defeat at Leyton Orient ten days ago, Stockdale is hoping to make the most out of his temporary move.

"I need to be in the shop window," said Stockdale. "I want sides to look at me and realise that I'm playing football regularly.

"I have more of a chance of taking that look at me while playing for Darlington than I do at Hull reserves. When I went to Hull I enjoyed being part of their promotion to the Championship straight away but things haven't worked out as I would have wanted.

"So I'm delighted at getting this month to show people what I can do on the pitch. I'll be getting my head down and looking to help Darlington make a play-off position in my time here."

Redcar-born Stockdale has endured an amazing downturn in fortunes since last appearing for Boro in the Premiership two seasons ago. After loan spells with West Ham and Rotherham, Stockdale moved to the latter on a permanent basis in June 2004.

He said: "At 26 I still feel my best years are ahead of me and I'm delighted that the people of Darlington will be able to see that.

"I still have a house in Middlesbrough and that has helped me settle.

"I also know one or two of the lads here such as Mark Proctor and Neil Maddison, who I played with when I was at Middlesbrough.''

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