ALUN ARMSTRONG is considering his selection options ahead of tomorrow’s home match with AFC Telford United, with changes possible in order to best utilise his squad.

Darlington have a lengthy midweek trip to Leamington on Tuesday, so the manager is likely to reduce the burden on some of his players.

Armstrong will be without defender Jordan Watson against Telford as he serves a one-match ban, but goalkeeper Liam Connell will return.

He was unavailable for last weekend’s FA Trophy win against Gainsborough Trinity, a game Darlington won 2-1 with on-loan Jack Lambert putting Quakers ahead.

The 20-year-old from Ryton is a player Armstrong knows well from his time coaching in Middlesbrough’s academy, where Lambert came through the ranks before joining Dundee in 2017.

He moved to Scunthorpe United at the beginning of this season, from whom he is with Quakers on loan for an initial month.

“I’ve known Jack since he was 13 or 14. He’s talented, a clever footballer and different to what we have,” said Armstrong.

“He can play midfield, left-wing, as a No. 10, or the forward positions out wide, and he has given us something different, plus he can score. He’s a good finisher as people saw last week, the calmness in his finishing.

“He said to me that he would score goals, so he’s a confident lad! He’s got a bit of an edge about him, which I like.

“He’s not a pushover and he’ll give as good as he gets. He knows he has ability, and it’s about making sure he does the other side of the game, which all the lads we’ve brought in have bought into.”

With temperatures tonight forecast to drop to zero, Quakers say they may need to cover the Blackwell Meadows pitch this afternoon. The club will issue a further update this morning.

So the club is asking for volunteers to lay covers on parts of the pitch this afternoon around 3pm and to remove them on Saturday at 10am.

If you can help, ring Joe Peacock on 07982 931678 or email joe.peacock53@icloud.com