Darlington will be aiming to keep the increased momentum going as they move further forward into January. Quakers travel to Notts County for their second meeting of the season with the Nottinghamshire club and fortunes for both sides have changed since that meeting back in early September. After a slip down the table Quakers are beginning to recapture their early season form but will need at least a point from this fixture to ensure things continue in a positive direction.

Preparations for the game on Saturday were clouded by contractual signings. Darlington have retained the services of the vast number of their short terms however there are still question marks hanging over where Tresor Kandol's future lies this evening. At one stage thanks to the suspensions of Akpo Sodje (3 games) and Simon Johnson (1 game) and the fact that no deal had been agreed with Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu Quakers were without a strike force for this game.

Darlington's deadline for contract dealings enabled manager David Hodgson to know exactly when he could start looking around for fresh blood. Instead of being stuck between pillar and post Quakers have been able to push through two signings this afternoon which means the visitors will be starting with at least one forward on the pitch at 3pm tomorrow afternoon as opposed to none, which many feared would be the case in the middle of the week.

Both sides suffered contrasting Christmas' in the league. Quakers enjoyed plenty of festive cheer picking up away points at Carlisle and Lincoln along with home wins against Barnet and Torquay. Notts County meanwhile picked up just three points (a win against Barnet) after suffering defeats on the road against Orient and Oxford United. December was a bad month for Gudjon Thordarson's side who picked up just one win in all competitions. It's a run of results which has left the Icelandic manager looking to bolster his squad with quality during the first month of 2006.

"I am looking to add some real quality to the squad, I am sure this is what we need. At this moment in time we have a couple of options. One deal is very promising indeed while the other deal is one for a player who has plenty of experience and quality to deal with what will be required," said the Notts County manager. "If those deals come off, I will be a happy a man. Releasing two players has given me some room to play with, which is a big help. It is not a great deal of money, but money talks as we know in this game. If you want quality you have to pay for it. It is quality we are after. Quality players who are proven and don't want to prove themselves in this league. Players who are ready to rock and roll when they come in."

Quakers have to contend with suspensions for this game but the loan signings of Kyle Lafferty and Paul Hopkins mean that this isn't too much of an issue. Darlington are unbeaten in five games and as a result changes, apart from the required ones, may be light on the ground for the ground for this trip to Meadow Lane. Notts County meanwhile have few problems to contend with. Rob Ullathorne and Kelvin Wilson are back in the squad after missing the game with Barnet on Monday while Mark DeBolla is in the squad after signing non-contract forms following his release from Chesterfield yesterday.

For all those travelling tomorrow have a safe journey. For everyone else remember Quakers World for full commentary and post match comments later in the evening.

Last ten meetings

Notts County's last five games