MARK Cooper believes Chris Atkinson is beginning to show Darlington fans what he is capable of after the midfielder endured a difficult start to his loan spell at the Northern Echo Arena.

Atkinson joined Quakers on a six-month loan deal from League One side Huddersfield Town at the start of the season but with Quakers struggling to find form, the midfielder has come in for some stick from disappointed fans.

That prompted Cooper to leave the midfielder out for six games but after being recalled in the win over Stockport, the 19-year-old has impressed.

Cooper has opted to play 4-4-2 recently in a bid to find a winning formula and with two wins out of their last three games, it seems the change in formation has benefited the midfielder.

Cooper revealed Atkinson is highly-rated by Huddersfield manager Lee Clark, who has said the midfielder will go into his first-team when his loan spell expires in January.

"We left a couple of people out and I think we've got a lot of energy in the team now. I thought Chris Atkinson was really good last Saturday," Cooper said.

"Hopefully the fans will give him a break and see what he's all about. Him and Jamie Chandler are midfield workhorses and Lee Clark rates Chris very highly.

"He's said that he will be in his team at Huddersfield in January - and that's the manager of a team who are unbeaten in 38 games.

"I think he suffered because the team wasn't playing well to start with but since we went to 4-4-2 he's showed his stamina and range of passing.

"Huddersfield really rate him and I can see that now. I was struggling to see it for a month or so but he's been a big plus along with Jamie (Chandler), Greg (Taylor) and Ex (Geohaghon)."

Quakers travel to Essex today ahead of tomorrow's game at Braintree with Cooper hoping to have defender Graeme Lee back from injury.

After completing a one-match ban, Lee has missed Quakers' last two games with a groin problem, but the centre-back will undergo a fitness test today to determine whether he travels with the squad.

Spaniard Jonatan Sanchez-Munoz is also available despite being substituted early on in Tuesday's defeat to Barrow after complaining of dizziness, while Michael Brough is another option should Lee fail to recover in time.