ON the eve of Darlington's League Two opener, club record signing Pawel Abbott has declared himself fit to face Wrexham tomorrow.

The £100,000 buy from Swansea City has been struggling with a thigh strain and there were doubts Abbott would be available in time for the start of the new season.

However, the 25-year-old, who returned to light training at the beginning of the week, is ready to make his debut at the Darlington Arena tomorrow.

"Pawel trained today and he's had no reaction so it's great to have him available," said Penney.

"Obviously you want as many bodies available for the start of the season as possible and things are starting to look up for us now on that front."

Abbott will be one of several players who will make their Quakers bow against Wrexham, including Chris Palmer, who has joined the club on loan from Wycombe Wanderers until the end of the year.

With Martin Smith not expected to return until Christmas after undergoing a knee operation during the summer, Penney has been desperate to add a left-sided midfielder to his squad.

"We've fetched Chris Palmer in to give us some natural width on the left," said Penney. "I've been looking for a left-sided player for a while now.

"We didn't know he was going to be available until the back end of last week so we've brought him in until Christmas.

"We were light in the that area and we needed a natural left footer and Chris has got that."

Penney is hopeful that midfielder Clark Keltie will make a return to full training next week. The 23-year-old has been sidelined for three weeks after undergoing a double hernia operation last month.

Scott Wiseman will miss tomorrow's game with an Achilles injury.

Former Quakers striker Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu has joined League Two rivals Bradford City on loan until January. The Bantams have also signed Alex Rhodes on a short-term deal after a successful trial. Rhodes was on trial with Quakers in pre-season, but was not offered a contract.

Ndumbu-Nsungu and Rhodes join ex-Quakers players Matt Clarke, Barry Conlon and Paul Heckingbottom at Valley Parade.

Danny Wilson is keeping his players on their toes and won't let them know who is playing in tomorrow's League One opener until the last minute.

Pools head off Luton today and Wilson has plenty of competition for places within his squad.

The suspended Andy Monkhouse aside, Wilson has a full compliment to select from.

Wilson said: "I know what my first XI is, but no-one else will know until the day. The players won't know until as late as possible and I think it's the right way.

"They have all worked so hard over the summer and in pre-season and whoever is picked, I expect them to play their hearts out - I know they will."