Source: Northern_Echo
Foster returns to duty with warning from Todd
COLIN TODD has reminded Steve Foster that none of Darlingtons squad have a divine right to play but he is expected to recall the skipper for todays trip to Lincoln City.[LNB] Paul Arnison aggravated his hamstring during Tuesday evenings victory over the Imps and wont be risked, with Lee Thorpe also missing this afternoons game against his former club. Todds miniinjury crisis also denies him Chris Lumsdons services for the clash with Lincoln, who dispensed with manager Peter Jackson after Quakers dumped them of the Johnstones Paint Trophy.[LNB] During the opening weeks of the campaign, Todd has chopped and changed his squad but he has been impressed by the positive reaction hes had from most of his players when they have been s i d e l i n e d .[LNB] While he und e r s t a n d s that Foster has been frustrated to be in a n d out of the starting line-up, he reassured the veteran centrehalf that his time will come again.[LNB] Steve understands how I work and he has been fine,[LNB] confirmed Todd. I left him out but he comes back into my thoughts for Saturday. As the club skipper he hasnt been in the situation over the past couple of seasons when hes found himself left out. But I have to look at the whole picture and he missed pre-season, then picked up an injury, and Ive had to take stock of everything his time will come again.[LNB] Nobody has a divine right to play, (Chris) Plummer has done a very good job but it might be that the skipper comes back because its an away game and Arnison wont play.[LNB] One of the most pleasing things is the positive response Ive had from players when Ive left them out.[LNB] Its important that people come back fighting. It tells me that the players may have been disappointed to be left out but when I give them another chance they show me that they mean business. That is important, it tells me that I have a squad of players who have the right character. Thorpe scored nearly 60 times during his five seasons at Sincil Bank but hes not expected to have recovered from an ankle problem in time to face his former side.[LNB] Todd outlined his attacking options: David Dowson has come of the bench and made things happen, he is an impact player and he could even have got a couple of goals himself in midweek.[LNB] And Kevin Gall has come in and put defenders on the back foot, so we have good options up front. Young Josh Gray is coming back into contention too.[LNB] I think the goal we scored against Cheltenham, after finding ourselves behind, was the trigger for players to regain their belief. It was a big weight off my shoulders as well. But the players havent waned through what has been a tough period, they have been brilliant.[LNB] Lincoln caretaker manager Simon Clark will take charge of team affairs and Todd admitted to being angered after his opposite number was axed in midweek hours after losing at The Northern Echo Arena.[LNB] I was surprised Peter Jackson lost his job, he admitted.[LNB] I think there should be a ruling where no club can sack a manager until after Christmas.[LNB] Its the nature of the business but I feel for Peter, going so early in the season.[LNB] I had a long chat with him after the game and he felt that something was going to happen the directors had come up for the match, which is usually a sign that something is about to happen.[LNB] We are starting to look a better side altogether. I thought the way we played in the first half on Tuesday night was the best weve played since I came here, certainly attacking-wise.[LNB] I dont know if Lincoln will play in the same style as midweek so we have to be ready for whatever they throw at us.[LNB] We just have to continue making progress and follow up on the way weve gone about things in the last two games.[LNB]
