Darlington hope to bolster their squad ahead of tomorrow’s game against Blyth Spartans with a much-needed new defender in the sights of Alun Armstrong.

The manager has made no secret of his desire to strengthen the centre of his defence, which has conceded seven goals in the first three games of the season, all of them defeats.

Jake Cooper is a target, Rotherham United’s 20-year-old Irishman who has been with the Millers since he was 15.

He has had two loan spells with Gateshead and was briefly on loan to Hartlepool United last season.