By Martin Walker

Colin Todd says new signing Dean Windass has a big part to play at Darlington, on and off the pitch.

The Quakers boss, who unveilled 10 new players yesterday, reckons Windass will offer the League Two club lots this season, despite his age.

The former Boro and Bradford striker turned 40 in April, but was playing in the Premier League with Hull less than a year ago.

Todd is delighted with the signings he's made already, although he plans to make a handful more over the coming weeks, and he's looking forward to working with Windass, who will be his assistant manager at the Northern Echo Arena.

"Deano is going to play a major part for us," Todd told BBC Tees Sport.

"I've always said that when I returned to management in England I wanted to give Dean his first break in coaching and he's looking forward to the challenge.

"But I'm expecting him to play as well. He's a fit 40-year-old and he'll be a big player for us.

"There's a lot of experience in there. The three midfielders we've brought in have all played at a higher level, and they have good ability.

"Along with Lee Thorpe, who knows what to expect at this level, there's lots of experience, and in David Knight we have a goalkeeper who I think is really going places.

"These lads have signed for us on trust, and that says a lot about them. Once we come out of admin then they'll be able to officially sign for us."