Darlington's outgoing caretaker manager Craig Liddle believes midfielder Danny Groves has a bright future in football.

Groves, 18, has impressed in four appearances this season and Liddle has already tipped off new boss Steve Staunton as to his talents.

"We had a little chat with the manager before the game to say 'Don't be put off by his size'," he told BBC Tees.

"There's an awful lot of bite in him, he's not frightened to get his tackles in or get on the ball."

Liddle's final act as manager was to guide his side to a spirited 2-1 defeat in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy against Leeds United.

And with Staunton and assistant Kevin Richardson about to take over, the former Darlington and Middlesbrough player is confident the squad has given the new managerial set-up the best of starts.

"The manager and Kevin will have their idea of how they want to play, but tonight has given them a reminders of what they've got in the club," he said.

"One or two of the boys have given themselves a great chances of establishing themselves as part of the new manager's plans."

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