It’s almost like the old times, isn’t it? A home game to welcome back a bunch of Cup giant killing heroes? A chance to get a win over possible promotion rivals and make a statement about our intentions for this Division this season? Such things haven’t been known at Bescot Stadium for many a long year, but they’re back now. Let’s hope the momentum continues with the arrival of Darlington

On the injury front, Richard Money will be welcoming back Martin Butler, rested on Tuesday with a slight back problem, Mark Kinsella, who had picked up a groin problem at Lincoln and, equally welcome as the return of our number one striker, skipper Michael Dobson, who as recovered from the head injury he received the other week.

Darren Wrack seems to be improving rapidly and may be able to return at the end of September, while young striker Alex Nicholls has made remarkable progress and will be back from his broken leg even sooner.

The other two walking wounded, Tony Bedeau and Allan Picken, have been pencilled in for the reserves next Tuesday, with a possible return next Saturday.

The sixteen, therefore, should come from Ince, Gilmartin, Pead, Westwood, Gerrard, Roper, Taylor, Fangueiro, Wright, Dobson, Kinsella, Keates, Fox, Butler, Sam, Constable and Demontagnac. Whoever misses out can count themselves unfortunate, as the competition for places grows.

There were massive upheavals at Darlington in the summer, as manager Dave Hodgson was given a lot (for this level) of cash to spend, making them one of the pre season favourites.
The signings of ex-Norwich striker Gaetano Giallanza, the dangerous Barry Conlon from Barnsley and midfielder Michael Cummins from Port Vale looked amongst the best pieces of business in the division. Since then, they have also added, of course, Julian Joachim, for the unheard of fee of £100,000 rising to £200,000. That’s a lot of money at this level
Ins: Gaetano Giallanza (unattached), Patrick Collins (Sheffield Wednesday), Martin Smith (Northampton), Michael Cummins (Port Vale), Barry Conlon (Barnsley)
Outs: David McGurk (York), Matt Clarke (Bradford), Ryan Valentine (Wrexham), Akpo Sodje (Port Vale), Joe Kendrick, Matty Appleby, Adrian Webster, Guy Bates, Jonjo Dickman (all released)
The danger men are, of course, the aforementioned Giallanza, the ever dangerous and familiar Bary Conlan and ex saddler Julian Joachim.

Predictions?

Darlington are fresh from their own giant killing n the week, of course, when, despite resting first choice goalkeeper Russell, promising defender Hutchinson and both Giallanza and Conlon, they went to Stoke and dumped them out of the competition, 2 – 1, with Joachim opening his account for them. What made it all the more remarkable was that they had been playing with 10 men since the 12th minute.

Looks a formidable proposition, then? Well, not quite.

They are lying 11th at the moment, having won two and lost two. They won 4 – 0 at Macclesfield on the opening day, but went down 4 – 1 at Boston last week. It seems that their start has been a little inconsistent so far. On that basis, and despite their potent attacking threat, I’ll go for a narrow home win.

Believe!