Fortune beckons for Darlo

Jun 22 2008 Sunday Sun

DARLINGTON hope to be in a position to announce a couple of signings by the start of next month.

So far manager Dave Penney has snapped up just one player, midfielder Jason Kennedy from Middlesbrough, who spent the last couple of months on loan at The Arena.

However, the Sunday Sun understands that former Tottenham and Leyton Orient defender Clayton Fortune is likely to sign for Darlington when his contract with Orient expires at the end of this month.

The powerful 25-year-old can play at left-back, or in the centre of defence. The left-back position was a problem for Darlington throughout last season, but if Fortune signs it could solve that, especially as Tim Ryan could well be fit for the start of the new campaign.

“We are working hard to bring players in, but often nothing much happens until the beginning of July when players have had time to weigh up their options,” said Darlington assistant manager Martin Gray.

“If we get a left-back in we will be happy with the defence, because we have three good central defenders, and a couple of players who can fill the right-back role.

“We are trying to address other areas of the team, and the manager has spent a lot of time on the phone. We are optimistic that we will be able to strengthen the squad.”

One of the top priorities is a left-sided attacking player, for Quakers lacked consistency in that role because of injuries to Martin Smith, then Richie Foran. They finished the season with on-loan youngster Craig Nelthorpe playing on the left flank.

However, with both Julian Joachim and Neil Wainwright confirming their departures with moves to Kings Lynn and Morecambe respectively, a right winger is also on the wanted list.