DARLINGTON manager Alun Armstrong is bracing himself for a busy two days in the transfer market following the departure of Will Hatfield.

The transfer deadline for National League clubs to complete signings is on Thursday as clubs race against the clock to get last minute deals done.

The 30-year-old midfielder left the club on Tuesday to join fellow National League North side AFC Fylde on a permanent move signing a contract until the summer of 2024. He scored the match winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Spennymoor Town on the same day.

Hatfield was a hugely popular figure at Blackwell Meadows and wore the captain’s armband which will now be handed to David Wheater following his departure.

However, it leaves Armstrong with a sizeable plug to gap with the transfer deadline on Thursday.

“Nightmare two days because it’s not something that I had planned” said the Quakers boss.

“I did want another one, a wide player, a left footer just to balance us off a bit. But now I probably have to go and try and find a midfielder to give us enough numbers to see us through. Especially with the Easter period coming up.

“That’s something I’ll be touching base with. I’ll make a few phonecalls.

“Today was all about dealing with the Will (Hatfield) scenario and then trying to focus on this game was a tough one. The next couple of days unfortunately the phone is going to be a little bit busy.”

The club cannot recall midfielder Joe Wheatley within the first 28 days of his loan spell at Northern Premier League side Marske United which would have solved a problem. The deal for Wheatley was completed last week.