Darlington captain Steve Foster has been axed by manager Steve Staunton after a row over his contract.
Captain sidelined over contract wrangle
Darlington captain Steve Foster has been axed by manager Steve Staunton after a row over his contract.
Centre-back Foster, one of only two-first team players to stay after the club went into administration, will be entitled to a new deal if he makes two more appearances for the Quakers.
Staunton has asked the former Scunthorpe player to remove the clause, but with Foster refusing to comply, the experienced defender has been pushed into the wilderness.
And the former Republic of Ireland manager will not recall the 30-year-old to the club's desperate relegation fight until he backs down.
Hands tied
Staunton said: "Steve has clause in his contract that if he reaches two more games he gets a new contract.
"That was in his contract from the end of last season, the position we're in we can't afford to be handing out new contracts.
"I asked him if he would take it out so he would be available for selection, but he's decided not to, that's his decision, so my hands are tied.
"Unfortunately he won't be available for selection. He's still training with us, but he won't be considered until that clause comes out."
Darlington, 10 points from safety at the foot of the Football League, have won two of their eight league matches under Staunton, who replaced the sacked Colin Todd in early October.
