FINDING some consistency in team selection and performance is the aim for Darlington, who have struggled to maintain either so far this season.

Tommy Wright’s team has been affected primarily by injuries, plus suspension and Reece Styche’s international call-up have also been factors in not fielding a settled side.

Quakers have recorded only two wins in 11 games, last Saturday seeing the club suffer its customary early exit from the FA Cup, 1-0 at home to Bradford (Park Avenue)

They were without Joe Wheatley and Dave Syers, two players who were both in the starting XI when Darlington enjoyed a 3-0 win over AFC Telford United three weeks ago.

Since then they have both been less than 100 per cent fit, but Syers will start today against Stockport County and Wheatley will too if he is considered able to having missed two matches with an abdominal problem.

Quakers believe he has a hernia, something the midfielder could potentially play with for a period, but will require surgery at some point.

“I don’t think chopping and changing gets you anywhere,” said Wright.

“Barring the first four matches of the season we haven’t had a fully fit squad.

“Simon Ainge got injured at the same time as Reece Styche was international duty, Dom Collins and Terry Galbraith got injured at the same time.

“This is our 12th game and we haven’t had a settled team, it feels like the season hasn’t started. We’ve warmed up but not got any kind of rhythm at all.

“The only consistency we’ve had was when we played Brackley, Blyth and Spennymoor.”

Wheatley’s return would strengthen midfield and see a change in formation from last weekend, when Quakers lined up 4-1-3-2, an attack-minded tactic but one that failed to hurt Bradford.

Wright pointed out, however: “You can play any system you like, but if the players do not run around as much as they should then you won’t get a result.

“The two games we’ve won this year, we have worked so hard to win them games and players have performed.

“You can carry one or two, but when we’ve had an off day there’s been six or seven of them not on top of their game, in which case you can play whatever system you want, because the system isn’t the most important thing.”

Today’s match is Quakers’ last until they head to FC United of Manchester in a fortnight, as they will be without a game next weekend due to it being an FA Cup weekend.

Stockport are 12th with one away win, though twice – at Telford and Bradford – they have been denied victory after conceding a late equaliser.

“It’s a good game for us,” said Wright, whose team are 17th. “It’s two big clubs, two former Football League clubs locking horns, and they will bring a lot of fans.

“I want to win this game and then in the two weeks get everyone fighting fit and ready to go.

“Your season can change in 90 minutes. Last Saturday wouldn’t be forgotten about, but there’d be some light at the end of the tunnel.”

Wright remains without Dom Collins and Jonny Burn is not available having suffered concussion in training ten days ago. Quakers are sticking to the two-week guideline which says the defender should not play for the time being.

Jack Vaulks returns to the squad following the conclusion of his loan at Whitby Town, but Wright will not alter his back-four today.