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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. I think the fans will love it and he will give the rest of the players a massive boost. Cooper, meanwhile, says that Tommy Wright remains in the picture and explained that he was not in the squad on Saturday due to illness. 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. 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. 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. But he said: I scored a better one at Carlisle that was from 35 yards and it went in the top corner. Against Bristol Rovers for Hartlepool I scored one where I chested it down and volleyed it, but they're all a blur really. Tuesday's was more unexpected, I thought I was going to clear the stand. It took an age to drop in. I can't really remember the goals. Even today I came in at half-time and I couldn't remember how I'd scored. 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. The defender added: I watched Browny go forward down the left, I was creeping across and the ball came in. I hit it and luckily it went in. The keeper was waving at it as it went past him.