DARLINGTON return to action tomorrow after an unplanned free midweek, though it was not unwelcome due to the lack of players available to manager Alun Armstrong.

Due to a waterlogged pitch Tuesday’s game at Boston United was postponed, a match Quakers were due to contest without a full substitutes bench.

“I would only have four on the bench because David Atkinson couldn’t get away from work and Chris Elliott has had flu,” said the manager.

“Louis Laing was struggling with flu as well, so it was a little bit of a blessing that it was called off because we were quite light on numbers.”

Elliott may not be available for Quakers’ home match with Leamington tomorrow, but left-back Michael Liddle could be available for bench duty.

He has been sidelined with a hamstring problem but was due to train last night, and Armstrong said: “Saturday’s game might be too early, you cannot just put him in at the start after one session.”

The Boston match has been rearranged for March 17, pencilled in for one of several midweeks Quakers have available, though National League North clubs will not have as much free time in their schedule next season when the division increases from 22 to 24 clubs.

Playing four more fixtures is a move Armstrong has doubts about, and he said: “It’s tough playing Saturday-Tuesday, especially when you’re part-time. If you’re full-time it’s not so bad because it’s your job, but when lads have been to work all day and then having to play on a night time, that is tough.

“It’s tough enough as it is with the travelling we have to do, and Blyth have the most travelling out of anyone in the country.

“When you’ve got teams like Hereford and King’s Lynn in the northern section, I don’t know why we should be expanding the league.

“I don’t know whether it’s a good thing or not. Sponsorship will be split between 24 teams and not 22, but you get two extra home games. It’s probably swings and roundabouts, but potentially you will end up with more injuries.”