Footballers are sometimes accused of lacking in empathy with supporters but Clark Keltie will know just how Darlington fans are feeling today - because he was one of them in last season's derby.

Hartlepool United hosted Darlington in the Carling Cup in August last year and Keltie, then recovering from injury, chose not to sit in the main stand but alongside the travelling supporters.

Fourteen months on and the Newcastle-born midfielder is now Quakers' captain and a first-team regular who is relishing the opportunity of playing at Victoria Park for the first time.

"I know you say you take things one game at a time but it's been difficult when you've got this game coming up," admitted Keltie.

"It'll be the first time I have played there but I was in the stand with the Darlington fans when we there in the Carling Cup last season. I was tempted to join in with the singing!

"A win there would probably mean more to the Darlington fans than three wins against someone else - that's how much the fans look forward to it.

"We know what's at stake and we know how the fans feel. Over the last few weeks, when you speak to the fans, they keep mentioning the Hartlepool game.

"I am a Newcastle fan so I know what fans feel about derby matches. I went to the last one at St James' Park that was 3-2 to Newcastle. Simon Johnson got us tickets but we were in the Sunderland end so we had to keep quiet when Newcastle scored!"

Keltie's only experience of playing against Hartlepool came in the last ever derby at Feethams, a 2-2 draw in March 2003.

It's a game remembered fondly by the 23-year-old, who ranks it above any other match in his 123-game career.

In front of almost 6,000 fans, Craig Liddle's headed equaliser at the Tin Shed end gave Darlington a point following goals from Pools' Adam Boyd and Darrell Clarke after Barry Conlon had given Quakers the lead.

Keltie said: "I spoke to Martin Gray, Mick Tait and a few of the other lads who had all played in the derby before and they all said that it would be the best game for atmosphere that I would play in and it was true.

"On Saturday it would be easy to get carried away in the atmosphere but we won't be going for a brawl, we'll be going there for three points."