DESPITE enduring a barren spell in front of goal, striker Alun Armstrong is aiming to help Darlington return to winning ways tonight.

Following nine unbeaten games, Quakers finally lost in Saturday's FA Cup defeat at home to Swansea City and tonight return to league action at Wycombe Wanderers.

Despite a blow to the ribs on Saturday, Armstrong is likely to play at Adams Park and is looking for his first goal since October 14, a run of eight goalless appearances.

On Saturday he twice went close to ending his drought and the former Middlesbrough striker believes it is vital Darlington record a win at Wycombe.

Tonight's hosts are unbeaten in six League Two games and lie fourth in the table. They will provide a stern test, having lost one league game at home, although they did lose at Stockport in the FA Cup at the weekend.

"We've got to bounce back straightaway and get back to winning games as quickly as possible," said Armstrong.

"We've been winning our league games, so we need to keep the momentum going after losing against Swansea. We played well on Saturday but we need a win at Wycombe really because we want to keep moving up the table.

"I had a chance to score a header on Saturday, but I caught it as I was on the way down so got underneath it, and at the end there was a chance on my left foot but it came at me a bit quickly and I couldn't get power behind it.

"I need a goal desperately but I don't mind not scoring if the team's winning. I'd prefer that every time."

He hurt his ribs after a collision with Kevin Austin on Saturday and took almost an hour to leave the changing rooms after the game.

He added: "I landed strangely and got a heel in my stomach, but hopefully I'll be all right after treatment.

"As I crossed the ball I fell and landed on his heel so my ribs hurt but hopefully I'll be OK."

Dave Penney is already planning changes this evening, with on-loan Mark Albrighton - cup-tied on Saturday - returning to the centre of defence with Brian Close moving to right-back.

David Duke will be dropped but Anthony Griffith, who was denied permission by Doncaster Rovers to play against Swansea, returns to the squad.

Ahead of the January transfer window, Penney has begun making room in the squad by releasing Ville Vaisenan.

The Finnish 28-year-old defender had spent his entire career as a striker until this year and was only on a short-term deal after being signed by previous manager, David Hodgson.

Vaisanen played just five games for Quakers, the last of those in the 5-0 defeat at home to Rochdale when he played right-back and was one of the poorest performers.

Wycombe will be without keeper Ricardo Bastita, after he was recalled by Fulham. Jamie Young, who played in last week's FA Cup defeat, will start.

"He was a big part of things here and ten clean sheets is a great return," said manager Paul Lambert.

"But we know that this can happen with loans and that's the burden of them. We have to get on with it.''