Source: Northern_Echo
Brough news massive relief for Cooper
CONFIRMATION that Michael Brough's knee injury will not sideline the Darlington midfielder for as long as had been feared has offered Mark Cooper a welcome boost ahead of the new Blue Square Bet Premier season. The 28-year-old became Cooper's first signing as Darlington manager when he agreed a one-year deal with the former Mansfield Town player at the beginning of July. Brough offers valuable experience of non-league having had spells with Forest Green Rovers, Mansfield and Stevenage. Quakers' boss had feared that Brough could be sidelined for several months after he underwent surgery on Tuesday following the knee ligament injury sustained in the pre-season match against Carlisle United. Cooper, whose side host Newport County in their season's curtain-raiser this weekend, was relived to confirm that Brough could be back in a matter of weeks. He said: We thought is was going to be months rather than weeks. He should be back some time near the end of September so it'll be like a new signing for us, it's good news.