DARLINGTON are not back in action until next weekend at Blyth Spartans when they will be boosted by the return of Liam Hughes after a month of unavailability while he resolved personal issues.

He has been at the Sporting Chance Clinic in Hampshire for a month, a period of time during which he has received specialist treatment for addiction as well as undergoing a fitness programme.

A popular player among supporters, Hughes will be welcomed back with open arms by manager Tommy Wright, who has remained in contact with him in recent weeks.

“I’ve spoken to him almost every other day since he’s been in there, and he’s looking forward to getting out and playing his part,” said Wright.

“It’s not just a player, we’re not talking about an 18-year-old coming on loan that may not necessarily make an impact, he’s a massive presence for us.

“He will give the fans a lift and everyone in the changing room.

“What we’re going to get back is a more determined and focused Liam Hughes.

“Everything in there is structured, so he’s getting the right food and drink but the most important thing is that he’s got a fitness plan to stick to.

“He’s being helped with it, he’s losing weight, and he feels better about himself being in there. He would be the first to admit that he need to go.

“He’s been taught what he is doing and why is doing it wrong, so he knows the test will be what he does once his out. It’s one thing doing it in a controlled environment, the test will be when he gets out and continuing to live like he is in there.”

Hughes making an immediate return to the starting XI in the centre of defence would enable, says Wright, Simon Ainge to resume duties in attack, giving the team a physical figurehead in the opposition half.

Ainge played as a striker for the last half an hour seven days ago, when Quakers switched to 4-4-2 to claim a point in a 1-1 draw at Curzon Ashton, Tom Elliott scoring the equaliser.

Wright has seriously considered signing a striker, casting an eye over a trialist in training recently as well as speaking to clubs who are willing to loan out young forwards.

He remains satisfied with the players already at his disposal, however, and will not rush into making an addition.

“We’re having conversations, but it’s got to be the right fit,” he explained.

“I am conscious about bringing someone in and them being too similar to what we’ve already got in the squad. We’ve got Harvey Saunders and Stephen Thompson.

“I feel like I’ve got my route one option in Simon Ainge and last Saturday showed that we don’t have to play him at the back, we can go 4-4-2.

“I’m getting offered a lot of players. You get offered players and you have a duty to play them.

“Do I desperately need a centre-forward? I don’t think that I do. I’m happy with my forwards and I don’t really want them looking over their shoulder thinking what am I up to.”

Darlington are without a game tomorrow as scheduled opponents Brackley Town are playing in the FA Trophy away to Chesterfield.