Source: Northern_Echo
Cooper’s summer work far from over
Darlington have signed nine players this summer and their pre-season performances so far have been encouraging, yet manager Mark Cooper is far from finished in his squad rebuilding.[LNB] Both Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday have found a resilient Quakers tough to break down in the last week, and tomorrow evening Carlisle United visit The Northern Echo Arena.[LNB] Cooper does not expect to have added any fresh blood by then, but admits to being kept occupied by a series of calls from players' agents.[LNB] You have to give agents your time because you might end up with a player that turns out to be really good,[LNB] said Cooper, who has added a game at Gretna to Quakers' pre-season fixture list.[LNB] We're building a squad and trying to bring the right characters in which is important.[LNB] We need players that can blend into the changing room and can help the boys that are already here.[LNB] We've got some good players, we just want two, three or four to help them along.[LNB] Michael Brough is one of those already signed by Cooper and he has impressed in a midfield role against Sunderland and Wednesday.[LNB] Cooper added: He is ideal for us. He is a proper pro, he's a big lad, he's a good athlete and can play in a number of positions.[LNB] He can play in centre-midfield, centre-back or either full-back positions. It's important that we have two or three of them kind of players.[LNB] I tried to sign him when I was at Kettering because I've known for a long time what kind of player he is.[LNB] Darlington head to Gretna for their final pre-season friendly seven days before the Blue Square Bet Premier League kicks-off.[LNB] Taking place at Raydale Park on Saturday, August 7 (3pm), Gretna were established by a supporters trust after the original club were dissolved in 2008. They now compete in the East of Scotland League. Admission will be £4 adults and £2 concessions.[LNB] Kick-off for the friendly at Workington next Tuesday is now 7pm.[LNB] Remaining pre-season fixtures: Friday July 23: Carlisle Utd (H), 7.30pm Monday July 26: Whitley Bay (A), 7pm Tuesday July 27: Workington (A), 7pm Thursday July 29: Kendal (A), 7.30pm Saturday July 31: Billingham Synthonia (A), 3pm Monday August 2: Spennymoor Town (A) Wednesday August 4: Newton Aycliffe (A), 7.30pm Saturday August 7: Gretna (A), 3pm[LNB]
