Source: Northern_Echo
Todd thwarted in deals
Darlington will make changes for this evenings game at Accrington Stanley, but manager Colin Todd has been thwarted in his attempts to bring in two new players.
He had pinpointed new fullbacks but both potential loan deals failed to materialise, one due to an injury at his current club.
But Todds team at the Crown Ground will include as many changes that his small squad allows.
Mark Convery, Jeff Smith, James Bennett and Rikki Bains are all in the managers thinking but Nathan Porritt is not as he is dropped for what is the last game of his onemonth loan from Middlesbrough.
He was subbed before the break during last weeks defeat at Lincoln City, when few of the team emerged with much credit, which means Quakers are still looking for their first league win.
I would like to bring a couple of players in and the positions Im looking at are fullbacks because weve currently got centre-backs playing at full-back, explained Todd.
I went to a couple of games this week and thought I had the right-back signed and it probably would have happened but one of the players at his club got injured. The left back is not going to happen for now.
I need to get something more in the attacking third from my full-backs. Thats not being disrespectful to the boys who are currently playing there, but my defenders, other than Paul Arnison, are all centre backs.
Well have to go with what weve got at the moment but there will be changes from last Saturday.
The number of changes would be more considerable if injuries did not continue to sideline right-back Arnison (hamstring) and striker Lee Thorpe (groin).
Todd hopes they will return in time for Bournemouths arrival at The Northern Echo Arena a week tomorrow, but Chris Lumsdon is struggling with a back injury which may require surgery.
Darlington are bottom of the table while Accrington sit 18th with two wins from six games.
Todd added: The players have got to understand what theyre fighting for. We have to have that desire to roll up our sleeves and battle.
We have to get it into our heads that we have to become difficult to beat without being negative.
Were bottom so we have to make sure we come back from Accrington with not only a point but three points and thats going to take resilience, resolve and team play three things that we didnt have last Saturday.
Veteran striker Dean Windass returns to the bench in place of teenager Curtis Main who will instead play for the youth team tomorrow against Burton Albion at the Northern Echo Arena (12.00).
Reserve keeper Nick Liversedge remains a substitute despite first-choice David Knight enduring a tough start to the season.
Both are now under the tutelage of new goalkeeping coach Jim Provett who has replaced Jim Platt.
Platt was unable to continue his role due to due other commitments while Provett, a former Hartlepool United keeper, is now first-choice at Gateshead.
Accrington are expecting a bumper crowd this evening as fans rally behind the cashstrapped club who have been given two months to pay a £308,000 tax bill.
Supporters of nearby Bury and Morecambe have pledged to attend while some season ticket holders have offered to pay on the door.
Accrington players, management and all the staff at the Crown Ground will work for free this evening in a move which is expected to save the club £4,000.
