Mathew Clarke - Suspended

Quakers are on the road again tonight as they complete a gruelling week of travelling. Having already completed a long trip to Yeovil on Tuesday night Dave Hodgson's men face another sizable journey to Cheltenham. Playing the game on the Friday does one slight advantage, a win would certainly put a little extra pressure on the teams around Darlington to ensure they pick up maximum points from their respective games on Saturday afternoon.

The game at Yeovil was hailed as a much improved performance by the management however they will want to follow it up with a more positive result. Darlington go into the game ravaged by injuries and suspensions. Matthew Clarke is suspended and of course Darlington are missing the likes of Stephen Thomas and Craig Hignett in midfield.

Thanks to Matthew Clarke's suspension David McGurk could earn a recall to the side as well and young midfielder Jason St Juste should also be on the bench again. Meanwhile Neil Maddison is able to play after picking up a head injury in the game at Yeovl Town on Tuesday night.

Once Darlington complete their fixture with Cheltenham they have a chance to recuperate thanks to not having a game for some time. Speaking in the Journal Dave Hodgson feels his side needs the break to come but will not make any excuses.

"After this we don't play again for 11 days, and we need that break mentally and physically," said Hodgson. "I'm not going to make excuses about tiredness and injuries, because there's no point. We are going down there to try to get something to take into the break. A good result will give us a big lift. It's not just a case of getting this game out of the way. We must try to win it."

Cheltenham meanwhile could move up to fourth in the table having beaten Macclesfield Town in their last match. The hosts have won their last two league games and while some have tipped the Robins to struggle they are still up there as the Christmas period looms ever closer. Quakers have failed to win in recent seasons against the Robins at Whaddon Road but doing so tonight could lift them to eighth in the table ahead of Macclesfield on goal difference.

To all those travelling tonight have a safe trip and enjoy the game.

Cheltenham's last five games