GUYLAIN Ndumbu-Nsungu kicked off his second spell at Darlington in the worst possible fashion with an ankle injury restricting him to just 20 minutes of the reservesf 2-1 defeat at home to Barnsley yesterday.

The striker suffered a recurrence of the injury sustained early last month training with his previous club Gillingham.

He is a major doubt for Saturdayfs visit of Barnet, with Quakers yet to discover the extent of the damage.

He missed four weeks with the problem last month and it will be another headache for manager Dave Penney, who already has several injury concerns.

Ndumbu-Nsungu was signed as cover for Pawel Abbott, who is still recovering from his knee operation, while others in the treatment room include Andy Oakes (shoulder), Tim Ryan (knee) Clark Keltie (knee), Richie Foran (hamstring) and Martin Smith (knee).

Having been sidelined since a major knee operation last May, Smith has been using reserve games in recent months to build up his match fitness. But he did not play yesterday as he felt soreness in his knee last week and is to see a specialist.

After recovering from a broken nose, left-back John Brackstone made his return yesterday, with Polish keeper Przemyslaw Kazimierczak making his first appearance in Quakers colours.

He twice had to pick the ball out of his net before the break as the Tykes took a 2-0 lead, the first goal coming after 15 minutes when impressive Peruvian forward Miguel Mostto fired home.

Ndumbu-Nsungu limped off shortly afterwards before Mostto came close to a second when he struck the bar, but Barnsley made it 2-0 thanks a fine Jacob Butterfield long-range effort just before the break.

The goal came just after Darlington had been on top, but on the stroke of half-time some good football in the final third sent Lewis Hardman into the penalty area, where he poked the ball past the keeper to make it 2-1.

There were no further goals after the break with Rob Purdie, pushing his claims for a firstteam start, withdrawn from the the action after an hour while young central defender Lewis Smith enjoyed an impressive game.

DARLINGTON (4-4-2): Kazimierczak; Wiseman, L Smith, Burgess, Brackstone; Wainwright, Hardman, Riley (Smurthwaite 70), Purdie (Dobby 60); Reay, Ndumbu-Nsungu (Gray 22). Subs (not used): Liversedge, Davis.

Fans are being asked to nominate former players to represent Quakers in the Northern Masters football tournament in June. It will be the first time Darlington take part in the competition, which is held at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle.

Fans are asked to email their suggestions to commercial@darlington- fc.net There is also an opportunity to be the first shirt sponsor of the Darlington Masters team. For more information email Adam Benson at adam@mastersfootball.

com.