Darlington goalkeeper Andy Oakes will miss the rest of the season due to a shoulder injury.
Keeper out for rest of season with shoulder problem
Darlington goalkeeper Andy Oakes will miss the rest of the season due to a shoulder injury.
Oakes, who has not played for the League Two club since October due to the form of David Stockdale, requires a complicated operation.
He will now sit out the remainder of the club's promotion challenge, with Quakers boss Dave Penney looking to bring in a replacement on loan.
"He didn't seem that bad, but he walked off during training on New Year's Eve with a sore shoulder, but unfortunately he needs surgery and will be out for a while," Penney told the club's official website.
Difficult
"We are making some phone calls and we are waiting for some answers as to what is out there goalkeeper wise.
"The difficult thing is if we bring a keeper in on loan then the club usually wants him to play. That is not going to happen, so we are just trying to see what is out there."
Meanwhile, Southend manager Steve Tilson is considering recalling Richie Foran from his loan spell at Darlington.
The midfielder has been with Penney's side since November, but Tilson may summon Foran back to Roots Hall to ease his selection problems.
Tilson told the
Southend Echo: "It is certainly an option which is available to us and we shall think about it.
"Richie is enjoying himself at Darlington, so I'm not sure what we'll do, but a lot will depend on what else happens this week."
