Manager Simon Davey begins Darlington player hunt

Davey started the season a Championship manager at Barnsley

Darlington boss Simon Davey has said he will search for new talent far and wide in a bid to seal an immediate return to the Football League next season.

Quakers were relegated despite a 1-0 win at Rochdale but Davey is plotting promotion at the first attempt.

"I have to assemble a squad that will be competitive enough to bounce straight back," Davey told BBC Tees.

"Whether that's looking abroad, into the Northern League, the Conference or the Football League."

Davey's introduction as Darlington boss in early April has resulted in an immediate upturn in form, leading the club to two wins from his first four games in charge.

He inherited a side rooted to the bottom of League Two, and became Darlington's third manager of the campaign following Colin Todd and Steve Staunton.

And the former Barnsley boss is hopeful the supporters will return to the Arena to show their backing for the club as they look to bounce back from the disappointment of dropping out of the Football League.

"When I came in the fans hadn't many smiles on their faces the supporters, but the last three games away from home the fans have gone home happy, they've had nine points from nine," he said.

"It's important that they buy back into the club, the crowds are down and we need them behind us so we have a real good assault on the teams in the top half of the table."

Quakers' final six games begin with a visit to promotion-chasing Bournemouth at Dean Court on Saturday.