Alun Armstrong has again gone back to his old club Blyth to secure the services of striker Jamie Holmes.

The 21-year-old has been impressing in the non-league since his release from Newcastle in the summer of 2017.

Holmes was freed by the Magpies and then joined South Shields who he helped to promotion to the Evo-Stik Premier.

He left Shields a year ago to join Blyth and played a key role in helping them to the play-offs under Armstrong. He started 37 matches and scored five times.

Armstrong said: "We nicknamed him ‘spaghetti legs’ when he was at Blyth because of his ability to run with the ball in tight situations, and win it if necessary. He's very good at moving the ball on, and is an exciting player to watch."

Darlington have already signed Jarred Rivers, David Atkinson and Michael Liddle from Blyth. Louis Laing is also expected to follow.