Source: Northern_Echo
Darlington look set to miss out on Hendrie signature
Darlington are continuing their pursuit of Carlisle midfielder Marc Bridge- Wilkinson, but they appear set to miss out on another of their targets.[LNB] Former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie is ready to sign for Mansfield Town, who have declared they are 99 per cent sure the player will sign for them.[LNB] Quakers boss Mark Cooper has not confirmed that Hendrie is a target, but The Northern Echo understands that the 33-year-old is wanted at the Arena.[LNB] Commenting on offers he has made to potential signings, after Saturday's 4-1 win over Bath City Cooper said: None of them have died a death.[LNB] However, Mansfield manager Duncan Russell is confident that Hendrie, a free agent after being released by Bradford City, will put pen to paper at Field Mill.[LNB] I'm 99 per cent sure I will be able to bring in a player of the highest calibre on Monday who has played at the highest level, said Russell.[LNB] I think the fans will love it and he will give the rest of the players a massive boost.[LNB] Cooper, meanwhile, says that Tommy Wright remains in the picture and explained that he was not in the squad on Saturday due to illness.[LNB] Cooper said: Tommy's got an 18-month contract so he's going to be part of our plans, but he was ill, so that's why he did not figure.[LNB] Meanwhile, man of the moment Paul Arnison says, despite their quality, neither of his back-to-back goals over the last week rank as his career best.[LNB] On Saturday the right-back followed up last Tuesday's 25- yard left-footed lob against Histon with a powerful strike that arrowed across the keeper from inside the penalty area.[LNB] But he said: I scored a better one at Carlisle that was from 35 yards and it went in the top corner.[LNB] Against Bristol Rovers for Hartlepool I scored one where I chested it down and volleyed it, but they're all a blur really.[LNB] Tuesday's was more unexpected, I thought I was going to clear the stand. It took an age to drop in.[LNB] I can't really remember the goals. Even today I came in at half-time and I couldn't remember how I'd scored.[LNB] Arnison's goal, following an Aaron Brown cross, put Darlington ahead in first half injury time and was only the seventh of a career spanning close to 300 games.[LNB] The defender added: I watched Browny go forward down the left, I was creeping across and the ball came in.[LNB] I hit it and luckily it went in. The keeper was waving at it as it went past him.[LNB]
