Darlington manager Dave Penney says as things stand Town striker Billy Clarke will not be returning to the Quakers. The Blues want to sort a permanent deal for the Irish frontman, who spent the first half of the season with the League Two club, while Darlington are only interested in a further loan.

Penney said: "Ipswich are adamant that they want to sell him. They want decent money and Billy would rather not go out on loan again. We can't get him on loan and we can't buy him and that's the situation at this moment.

"Things can change. If Billy hasn't moved by the end of the transfer window then who knows? But right now Ipswich are looking to sell him and we're not looking to buy.”

Clarke, whose Town contract is up at the end of the season, scored nine goals in 22 starts and three sub appearances while with the Quakers.

Elsewhere, Rochdale boss Keith Hill is not considering bringing Jordan Rhodes back to his club for a second loan spell, the striker having spent a month at Spotland earlier in the season: "We not looking at Jordan Rhodes at the minute.

"He is a great talent and has a big future – probably at Ipswich – but from a geographical perspective we are looking to recruit players from the north, preferably from within an hour of the club. It helps when it comes to preparing and training for matches."

Rhodes, 18, scored two goals in five games for Dale.

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