MARK CONVERY feels he is a better player now than when he left Darlington four years ago and wants manager Colin Todd to give him the opportunity to prove it.

Convery, who has spent the last week on trial with the Quakers, is expected to figure in his second game inside four days when Todd takes his squad to Blyth Spartans tonight. And if the 28-yearold, who was released by David Hodgson four years ago, repeats his Friday night showing at Billingham Town, it is difficult to imagine him being turned away in 2009.

Convery was Darlington’s best player at Bedford Terrace, with Todd testing him on both wings and in the hole behind striker Lee Thorpe for a brief period.

The Darlington boss admitted afterwards that he had been impressed and hinted the player could be handed a contract this month.

Convery, though, is taking nothing for granted.

“It’s early days,” he said.

“It is up to me to force their hand. They have signed a lot of decent players in every position so it’s just up to me to get my head down and see where it takes me.

“There’s no rush. The lads who have already agreed stuff haven’t signed yet. I just have to come in every day to training and try to impress. I had an opportunity to go to a few clubs down south but this was an opportunity I could not overlook.”

Gateshead, who will be playing in Blue Square Premier next season, are also interested in Convery, but the prospect of a return to the Football League obviously appeals more.

The midfielder was released by Cambridge at the end of last season, having spent time on loan at Weymouth, and that was his opening to head back to the North-East.

Convery spent four years with Darlington the first time around, making 80 appearances, after a short stint in Denmark after being released by Sunderland.

“I was young before and I have come back a different player,” said Convery, who joined York after leaving Darlington in 2005. “I was young before, in and out of the team, and if I was left out I took it the wrong way.

“Now I have back here a different person and I know it’s a team game. It’s also important to stay up as high as you can in the football ladder and I am desperate for this chance.

“When I left I had a few clubs that had come in for me and I spoke to David Hodgson.

I felt needed a fresh challenge and he thought he needed to freshen things up so I had a look at what offers.”

■ Former Darlington duo Gregg Blundell and Tim Ryan have signed for Chester City.