ALUN ARMSTRONG is delighted with Stephen Thompson’s dedication to Darlington which will mean he is available for the bulk of team’s hectic start to the season.

Quakers kick-off their campaign on Saturday at Farsley Celtic, the West Yorskhire club promoted last season, and it is the first of eight fixtures in August.

League officials cram in as many matches as they can while the weather is reasonably good, so including the first week in September clubs will play ten games inside the first 36 days – almost a quarter of the season.

Due to circumstances dictated by his employment, Thompson usually misses Darlington’s first match and has not played in the opening game since 2015-16, when Quakers lost at Buxton before going on to win the Northern Premier League title at the season's end.

But he will play at Farsley and Armstrong said: “Thommo will miss Southport a bit later on in August. He’s done that for me because there’s a lot of games in August and he’s picked a week where there’s only one game.

“We’re discussed it and he’s been brilliant for me in doing that, because I know he usually misses a game or two at the start of the season, fair play to him.”

Thompson admitted: “I’m buzzing for Saturday. Normally I’m sat listening to the first game and it kills me - you do all the hard work in pre-season and then miss the first game.”

David Atkinson, injured a fortnight ago, should be available on Saturday, but the start of the season comes a little too soon for Joe Wheatley, the midfielder who is returning after hernia surgery since when he’s played twice.

“I’m a bit worried about Joe,” admitted Armstrong. “He’s had the hernia, he’s come back and played but he’s still struggling with a bit of stiffness.

“He’s not going to be ready for a good three weeks, which is a shame.

“David Atkinson is ahead of schedule, he has been on an underwater treadmill this week to try and get some movement into his ankle.

“If we get Atky playing that frees up Will Hatfield to go forward.”