FORMER York City striker Glenn Naylor could make his first return to the Darlington squad in more than a year at Bootham Crescent tomorrow.

Naylor, Darlington's top scorer last season with 16 goals, has yet to appear in the first team at Feethams this season after undergoing major knee surgery.

However, Naylor, who made a fleeting substitute appearance for Darlington's reserves against City last month, continued on the comeback trail in midweek in the Quakers' second string 2-0 defeat to Doncaster Rovers.

With former City striker Barry Conlon ruled out with a knee injury and fellow forward Danny Mellanby also doubtful with a back problem, Naylor is in contention for a squad recall tomorrow.

Darlington will arrive at Bootham Crescent besieged by problems on and off the field.

Criticism of the players from chairman George Reynolds' wife, Susan, at a recent fans' forum caused a stir, particularly after she insinuated the players had thrown a recent game at Torquay.

It has also emerged the club's new 25,000 seater stadium will not now be ready in time for the new season with problems in acquiring the right materials cited as the cause of the delay.

On the field, Darlington are in the middle of a dramatic slump in form having picked up just two points from a possible 21, their last win coming on February 5 when they beat Carlisle 3-1.

They currently lie five points clear of City in 18th place but have played three games more than the Minstermen.

Updated: 11:51 Friday, March 15, 2002