Brough is likely to be out for six weeks recovering from a knee operation

Darlington manager Mark Cooper is confident midfielder Michael Brough will recover from a knee operation sooner than first feared.

Brough, 29, joined the Quakers in July after being released by Mansfield Town but has been out since injuring his knee against Carlisle in pre-season.

"We're hopeful he'll be back in six weeks," Cooper told BBC Tees.

"It's more positive than what we first thought, it was going to be an absence of three or four months."

Experienced midfielder Brough began his career with Notts County, and lists Stevenage, Salisbury, Torquay and Forest Green amongst his former clubs.

Meanwhile Cooper is close to sealing a loan deal for Carlisle United striker Richard Offiong.

Offiong, 26, joined the Cumbrians from Scottish side Hamilton Academicals for £75,000 in August 2009 but failed to establish himself in the first-team last season.

"Richard is going to sign for us on a month's loan initially," Cooper said.

"He gives us that real pace that we haven't got at the top end of the pitch, and the ability to stretch teams."

Darlington begin the Blue Square Bet Premier season at home to Newport County on Saturday, 14 August.

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