Noel Whelan says he is desperate to do his bit for Darlington, despite suffering another injury setback on Tuesday night.

The striker, signed by manager Steve Staunton on a non-contract basis in October, lasted just three minutes into his second attempted comeback against the Cobblers, as a second-half substitute.

And the ex-Boro front man admits the recurrence of his hamstring injury was "embarrassing" after returning from a three-month lay-off.

"I'm absolutely devastated," said Whelan, who turned 35 in December.

"I knew the hamstring wasn't 100% but I'd been training a couple of weeks so I felt I was ready.

"But the dynamics of game situations are totally different to training and in some situations it's difficult to gauge if you're ready or not.

"To be honest, to go on and have to come off within three minutes was embarrassing, all I wanted to do was bury myself.

"It hurts as a footballer because I've been working so hard to get back to fitness and to repay the faith shown in me by the gaffer.

"It's back in the gym now and back to getting the hamstring right, making sure I'm 100% and getting myself fit, but I'm not giving up. It is a set-back, but I'm determined to play football again this season.

"It's frustrating because all I want to do is play and to do my bit for the club. Steve was good enough to give me another chance and I'm desperate to return the favour and to help Darlington get out of the mess we're in.

"I'm aiming to be back in four weeks, and anything before then would be a bonus."