DARLINGTON'S Pawel Abbott is unlikely to play again until next season, and his absence could pave the way for a record-breaking debut for schoolboy striker Curtis Main.

Quakers have not quite given up on Abbott, who aggravated a hamstring strain in his comeback last weekend, but manager Dave Penney does not expect him to make a miraculous return in the play-offs.

Along with several others, he is unavailable for tomorrow's trip to Peterborough United when striker Main could become Darlington's youngest ever player.

The current holder of that title is Dale Anderson who, almost 21 years ago, made his debut aged 16 years and 254 days Main, a South Shields Community School pupil, does not turn 16 until June but has emerged through the club's youth system and will start a two-year apprenticeship next season.

He has already featured for the reserves and Penney said: "Young Curtis was very close to being on the bench last week and will possibly be involved this week.

"He's a tough strong boy. A lot of the young ones are slight but he's a couple of stone heavier than some and he's a bit tougher.

"He's a little bit young for us right now but we think he's got a future and he's done well when he's joined in with us in training.

He's only been training with us during the school holidays. He had exams this week but he'll back with us on Friday.

"He's come through the system and he'll be an apprentice next year. I've watched games at that level and make a decision on whether or not they're going to come into the club.

"He's the one that's got the physical edge that can affect our first team. He's been involved with the reserves for quite a bit."

As well as Abbott, Penney does not expect Neil Austin or Gregg Blundell to play again this season.

With Andy Oakes, Ryan Valentine, Martin Smith and Richie Foran having been ruled out, Penney added: "We've got to hope the physio can get a few ready but in my view we've got seven out for the rest of the season.

These aren't fringe players.

"On Friday and Saturday he's going to spend time in an oxygen chamber. We're clutching at straws a little but apparently it speeds the healing.

"But it took him five weeks to get to the stage he was last week and he still wasn't right. He broke down after 15 minutes.

"We needed him to be in the excellent form he was showing prior to him getting injured.

"Hindsight is great, but if he hadn't played last week he could still have done the injury at Peterborough or in the play-offs."

Penney is likely to make a couple of changes tomorrow.

Tommy Wright has not trained all week, Guylain Ndumbu- Nsungu is still carrying a groin strain and Julian Joachim could play if required but he will not be risked.