Darlington manager Dave Penney says he is keen to extend Billy Clarke's loan spell with his club. The Irishman has started his first month with the Quakers impressively, scoring his first goal in last week's Carling Cup win at Walsall.

Penney said: "I don't think we'll be able to get Billy permanently, I'm not totally sure what Ipswich's thoughts on him are.

"Hopefully he will continue enjoying it, and Ipswich will be happy for him to stay for a longer period. We'd love to keep him longer than a month.

"He went on loan to Falkirk last season but didn't really enjoy it. It was a six-month loan and they can't be cancelled once you've started. So we said 'come here for a month, see if you enjoy it'."

Clarke may well be available to Darlington to sign permanently at the right price, the Cork-born frontman having been placed on the transfer list at the end of last season.

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