Martin Gray last night hailed the return of Matt Clarke to Darlington and shrugged off suggestions the defender could be the target of the boo-boys during tomorrow's trip to Hartlepool United.

Having signed on a month's loan from Bradford City, the 25-year-old centre-back goes straight into the side tomorrow.

Clarke is remembered by Pools fans as the man whose tackle broke Gordon Watson's leg during the last league encounter between the two sides at Victoria Park.

That injury, back in September 2002, ruled Watson out for six months but the striker failed to score again and played only nine more games before retiring.

Clarke left Quakers in the summer after four years with the club, but played only once for Bradford in a Johnstone's Paint Trophy game in which he was sent off when conceding a penalty.

He will partner Joey Hutchinson at the centre of defence tomorrow and Gray laughed off suggestions that Clark will receive abuse, recalling his own experiences as a derby day bad boy.

He said: "You can't keep everybody happy in this life, there's always someone that's going to dislike you, that's just how it is. Matt will stand up and take it, I'm sure of that.

"It's football so you've got to accept it because it happens everywhere. You have got to get on with it. I'll get more stick than anybody!

"Derby games always stand out more in your career and there's always moments that you remember. I remember playing for Sunderland against Newcastle when I smashed Andy Cole right in front of the dug-outs.

"The whole Gallowgate end wanted to bray us! You remember those days when you've finished, they stand out more."

Despite Shelton Martis being on a week-to-week contract and both Joey Hutchinson and Darren Holloway not 100 per cent fit, David Hodgson allowed Clarke to leave on a free but he rarely got a look-in at the Yorkshire club.

He has suffered with injuries this season and missed a lot of pre-season, but that did not deter Gray, who is a big admirer of the pacy centre-half, who made close to 200 appearances for Quakers.

Injuries have affected Darlington's defensive options of late and Gray admitted: "I tried to get Matt three weeks ago as soon as David left.

"It was one of the first thoughts I had in my mind when me and Neil Maddison took over, but we got knocked back by their manager, Colin Todd.

"But me being me, a cheeky sod, I tried again this week and got him this time.

"I rate him highly. Matt said himself that we could not have brought him back for a better game than Hartlepool away. He's desperate to play in this game and he was desperate to come back.

"I know all about Matt's qualities and this is a great opportunity for him to come and stamp his authority on the team.

"He's going to have to be ready from the off, but he knows that. He's played in these games before, he knows the importance of them and that will be a key factor for us.

"We know he can handle the pressure because he knows what this game is all about.

"We're talking about an ex-club captain who has been there and done it.

"He leads by example on the pitch but we have a few of those players."

Clarke's return makes him the fifth member of the Darlington squad to come back to the club having already had a previous spell. The other four are: Alun Armstrong, Neil Wainwright, Barry Conlon and Craig James.