A defender is to leave Darlington and join Whitby Town in the Evo-Stik League.

Arjun Purewal's contract with Quakers is to be cancelled after boss Martin Gray decided he could manage without the centre-back.

The player was on loan at Whitby recently where he performed well and manager Darren Williams was keen to make the move permanent.

Gray believes he has enough cover should injury or suspension deprive him of first-choice centre-backs Gary Brown and Joe Tait.

Gray said: "Tait and Brown have both done very, very well and I don't think I can get Arj back into the team.

"He did very well at Whitby and they were desperate to take him back, so he'll finish off his contract there.

"We've got enough cover. Craig Gott and Terry Galbraith can both play at centre-back and so can Leon Scott."

As well as Gott, Scott and Galbraith, Gray has defensive cover in  teenager Johnny Burn, who is on loan at Darlington from Sunderland.

Purewal began the season in Darlington's team, scoring on the first day of the campaign against Bishop Auckland, playing in the first eight matches, but losing his place soon after Tait arrived. 

He is the twin of Amar Purewal, who has been a fixture in Quakers' team all season.

Darlington play Bishop Auckland on Saturday at Heritage Park (12.00 ko).