DARLINGTON have lost Michael Liddle to injury, leading Alun Armstrong to consider bringing in a left-back on loan.

He sustained a hamstring injury during the first half of last week’s FA Trophy defeat at home to Harrogate Town, and is now ruled out for four-six weeks.

While substitute Jordan Watson replaced him last weekend, Armstrong is not certain, given his previous injuries, that he would be at his best if asked to play three times in eight days.

After Saturday’s match at home to Alfreton Town, Quakers travel to Guiseley on Tuesday and Chester next Saturday, while they also have a midweek match on February 11, away to Boston United, by which time Liddle may not have recovered.

“It’s a big blow. It’s a pulled hamstring and it looks like a grade two, so I’ve got a bit of thinking to do,” admitted Armstrong.

“I might have to manoeuvre the squad a little bit and look at bringing in a loan.

“I’ve got Jordan for Saturday, but we’ve got midweek games coming. I’ve known Jordan for three years now and for him to play so often after all the injuries he’s had is tough.

“He knows the situation and it’s probably not fair on the kid, playing that many games.

“He’s had cruciate injuries in both his knees, so you’ve got to manage him a bit differently to everyone else.”

Terry Galbraith, currently out of the starting XI, has played at left-back in the past, and Armstrong added: “It is not an option I have not looked at, but Tez is best off at centre-half. He’s got quality on the ball, but looking at the calibre of players in this league their pace might be a bit much.

“That’s not being disrespectful to Tez, but as a centre-half he can deal with it but at left-back you are susceptible to one-on-ones and overloads.”

Saturday’s match at Blackwell will be the last of Jack Lambert’s loan from Scunthorpe United, unless Quakers seek to extend it.

Armstrong explained: “His loan is up on Saturday, and I’ve got to decided whether to extend it or not or use the funds elsewhere.

“Scunthorpe are happy for him to stay and I want to keep Jack, but finances will dictate it.”

Joe Wheatley has recovered from a slight groin problem and Sean Reid is available after being cup-tied last week.