Darlington today travel to London for this weekend's game at Dagenham and Redbridge still hoping to bolster their injury-hit squad.

Manager Dave Penney has this week made enquries about various targets with a view to bringing players in on loan, but Hull City striker Michael Bridges will not be one of them.

The former Sunderland forward has been made available for loan and, with Quakers striker Pawel Abbott sidelined, signing Bridges would have provided a boost for Darlington who have scored just twice in the last three games.

But clubs higher up the Football League than Darlington are also interested in the 29-year-old and Penney said: "Bridges won't be coming here. A fax was sent out to all clubs, on his say so, saying that he was available for loan.

"We got the fax so made a phone call to see what the situation was but were told that it looks as though he's going to a Championship club.

"I've heard Preston are interested and Leeds are possibles too."

Abbott hurt his knee in the warm-up ahead of last Saturday's draw with Peterborough. He also missed the midweek game against Rochdale and will be absent again this weekend.

"We thought he might be OK for Saturday but we've just had him on a bike and his knee was sore again so we're disappointed with that," said Penney.

"We're not sure when he'll be back, but it certainly won't be this weekend."

Penney has confirmed that he has terminated the loan of Chris Palmer and sent him back to Wycombe Wanderers.

The left-sided midfielder "failed to settle" explained Penney who must also do without Ian Harty for around the next month as he deals with personal issues at home in Scotland.

Penney is hoping Neil Austin will recover from an ankle injury in time to make a return against Stockport County a week on Sunday, while keeper David Stockdale could return to training next week.

But with Abbott and Harty out of action, and the left-midfield position yet to be secured by anyone this season, it's a forward players that Penney wants most.

He said: "We've been on the phone trying to get people in as we're a few bodies down, we're just waiting for other clubs to get back to us.

"The problem at the moment is that clubs at all levels are playing a lot of games so clubs are struggling for bodies and are unwilling to let people go on loan.

"Defensively we are OK, we've got plenty of bodies there and in central midfield we're OK. It's out wide and upfront that we need bodies."

Richard Barker is firmly of the belief that Nottingham Forest hold no fears for Hartlepool United tomorrow.

Pools go to the City Ground and after their experience of playing at Leeds United last month, Barker feels his team-mates can tackle Forest with confidence.

Barker said: "Leeds was a fantastic performance the other week and going to Forest after that game can put us in good stead."