Story by Kevin Luff - 4th May 2006

Darlington entertain Wrexham this weekend in their final official game of the campaign. Quakers still have an outside chance of making the play-offs but everyone is well aware of just how difficult the task will be.

Darlington currently sit in eighth place in League two three points behind seventh placed Lincoln City. The Imps however have a far superior plus twelve goal difference (six better than Darlington) to fall back on when they entertain Rochdale on the final day of the season.

It is a mammoth task on the hands of Darlington manager David Hodgson however whilst he is realistic about his side's chances he is still full of hope. Whilst much of the attention of Darlington supporter's will be focused on Lincoln City's scoreline throughout the ninety minutes on Saturday Peterborough United should not be discounted either. The Posh are in a similar position to Darlington but will fancy their chances more thanks to their better goal difference.

Visitors Wrexham occupy twelfth position in the table. Regardless of the outcome for the play-off race Hodgson is looking for his side to finish the season on a high. Wrexham have nothing but pride at stake however Dennis Smith's side will also be keen to finish with a win. The Welsh outfit though have several injury worries and Smith could be without as many as six players for the game at the TFM Darlington Arena.

Wrexham look set to be without midfielder Mark Jones. He will see a specialist about his knee but the indications appear to point towards possible cartilage or medial ligament damage. Matt Derbyshire has also not trained due to a chest infection. He may still make an appearance but the season is already over for Jim Whitley (knee), Lee McEvilly (foot), Dave Bayliss (back) and Levi Mackin (ankle). Hodgson has had plenty of injury woes himself this season but is mainly having to contend with suspensions ahead of this fixture.

"There won't be any sympathy from us or Wrexham either. We've had injury worries, serious ones, but it is not an excuse. You have a squad of players and if you have players out then you call upon the others sitting in the wings. So it is not an excuse from us at all and nor do I think it would be an excuse coming from Dennis Smith either," said Hodgson.

Darlington will be without Matt Clarke who starts a two game suspension and Matty Appleby (also out due to suspension). On loan Jemal Johnson is also likely to miss out but is still part of the club. David McGurk is expected to make only his third appearance of the season in their place at the back. Carlos Logan who made his return against Wycombe Wanderers could also figure but his place doesn't appear as certain as it was prior to the Wycombe Wanderers match.

"With Carlos Wycombe was a bit like a last throw of the dice because we knew we had to win there. Throwing him in was on the back of a very electrifying week or ten days on the training ground. It didn't quite materialise out on the pitch," admitted Hodgson. "He worked very hard under the circumstances but in terms of getting shots on target and beating people, which he did in training, it didn't quite come off. However it was certainly a plus on the day."

Saturday's game kicks off at 3pm as usual with full match report following the match along with post match comments on Quakers World. Also look out for our fans special on Monday. Three Darlington supporters will be giving their thoughts on the previous campaign and their hopes for the next season on Quakers World.

Recent meetings with Wrexham

Wrexham's last five games