Story by Kevin Luff - 13th August 2006
Joey Hutchinson backed to bounce back
Darlington assistant manager Mark Proctor has backed defender Joey Hutchinson to bounce back after Saturday's result. Quakers were beaten 4-1 by Boston United with Hutchinson having difficultly dealing with striker Julian Joachim. Proctor says that Hutchinson is still finding his fitness and his timing.
Hutchinson spent much of the 2005/06 campaign on the sidelines after picking up a second cruciate ligament injury in the 2005 Boxing Day draw with Carlisle United. The twenty-four year old has battled back and featured heavily in pre-season and has started all of Darlington's game so far this season. Proctor admits though he is not quite back to full fitness just yet.
"Joey is still a week or two away from his sharpness and his fitness. Joachim exposed that but Joey will get better once he is 100% fit and he's got his timing back. Joey will be a great asset at this level," said Proctor after the game on Saturday.
In the build up to the game against Boston United Darlington lost the services of Shelton Martis. The defender is set to move to Hibs and did not feature for Quakers over the weekend. As a result Darren Holloway came in and Proctor admitted it didn't help their preparations. Proctor went on to reveal that Quakers will be looking to strengthen their defence.
"We are looking to bring in a centre back hopefully this week," revealed Proctor. "Obviously we are all a little bit shocked that Shelton has gone, we shouldn't be really because he was on a week to week deal and the window is still open. We found out late on Friday morning which disrupted our plans a little bit. As a result I wouldn't be surprised if there is a centre back bought in during the early part of this week."
Proctor went on to reveal a left footed defender would be ideal. "We will prioritise and look for a left sided defender. That will be the priority. We generally play with two right footers and it doesn't give us that natural balance. Left sided centre backs as we found out during the close season are very difficult to get a hold off and don't grow on trees," he said.
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