Darlington boss Dave Penney will check on the fitness of defender Ryan Valentine ahead of the visit of Dagenham & Redbridge.The former Everton trainee is struggling with a knee injury and it remains to be seen whether he will recover in time to face John Still's strugglers.

Fellow defender Neil Austin missed last Saturday's 1-1 draw at Chesterfield with an ankle problem and is rated as doubtful again, with Scott Wiseman poised to deputise if needed.

A knee injury is likely to keep midfielder Rob Purdie sidelined while Pawel Abbott (also knee) is expected to play some part after spending over a month out.

Julian Joachim (ankle), Greg Blundell (stomach) and Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu (Achilles) are expected to miss out but should return at Peterborough next weekend.

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