Darlington manager Colin Todd has already worked wonders at the Northern Echo Arena, according to former chairman Raj Singh who is poised to complete his takeover of the club.

Todd replaced Dave Penney earlier in the summer and immediately set about rebuilding the playing squad despite the club being in administration. Singh has agreed terms "in principle" with former chairman George Houghton and hopes to take control before the end of the month.

Singh said: "Toddy is doing a fantastic job. His contacts within the game are vast and his track record of spotting players is well known.

"He managed Boro, Bolton and Bradford on shoe-string budgets, so he is well versed to the situation here at Darlington.

"But he has made what we think is an excellent appointment in Dean Windass as player-coach and has made a number of new signings, which we think will excite the fans.

"So there's been a tremendous amount of work done behind the scenes already and hopefully our takeover will come to fruition in the coming weeks and we'll officially come out of administration on July 23, ready to start to new season and turn a new leaf in August."