WITH one eye already on next season, Darlington manager Dave Penney has vowed to add some quality to his squad during the summer.

Despite making wholesale changes since succeeding David Hodgson as Quakers boss in October, Penney has not made as many changes as he would have wished, with the restrictions of the transfer window.

However, Penney is already planning improvements to his squad for a renewed promotion bid next season.

Quakers chairman George Houghton has already pledged to provide the funds for Penney, who is also expected to let a host of first-team players leave when their contracts expire in the summer.

"It's difficult when you arrive during the season and it's not until the January window or during the summer that you can do something about it," said Penney. "We knew we were light defensively and we did as best we could in January with the loans.

"But we knew David Wheater would go back before the end of the season and Ian Miller had to go back.

"I feel if we hadn't done that we would have been at the wrong end of the table. Now we can look to the summer and add some quality to the squad."

However, any hopes of re-signing Middlesbrough defender David Wheater on a season-long loan next season may be dashed by Carlisle after the League One side were linked with him.

Darlington's player of the year and goal of the season voting forms are now available from the supporters club.

The player of the year awards tickets are now on sale priced at £6.50 each. The ceremony is being held on Saturday, May 5, in the Ron Greener Lounge at the 96.6TFM Darlington Arena.