WHEN Matt Swailes signed for Darwen, not many thought he'd be there for long.

The Anchor Ground club can't afford to pay their players and Swailes, a former UniBond League player with Chorley, only went there to get his fitness back after an injury he picked up while playing for Salford City.

The plan was to return to Salford once he was fit but the 25-year-old is still there three months later.

"I'm just helping Steve (Wilkes) out," he said.

"I'd been messed about at Salford and St Helens, they promised me first team football and then didn't play me.

"I'm staying with Darwen until at least the end of the season to repay Steve for asking me to come down and giving me a game.

"I'd like to play at a higher level but I didn't have a very good time at Chorley either. They messed me about there as well. I am too quiet for my own good, that's my problem. Clubs think they can do what they want to me."

Swailes, who is a postman, is widely regarded as one of the best centre forwards in the NWCL second division.

"In my opinion he is the best centre forward in the division," said manager Steve Wilkes.

"I don't think many centre forwards would come out of the UniBond League and play for no money in the North West Counties but he doesn't want any money, he just wants to play football."

Swailes's loyalty has been tested a number of times with NWCL first division side Clitheroe coming in for him in November and UniBond Premier League side Burscough making an enquiry just last week.

"Clitheroe came in for me but I wasn't interested in joining them because I didn't know anybody there," said the player.

And Wilkes added: "Burscough made an enquiry but he told them he wasn't interested. He's happy where he is. He needs a couple more goals to make him into a real Conference player.

"His touch is tremendous, he has scoring ability, he has scored eight for us so far, and he adds another dimension to our game. If we are under pressure we just knock the ball up to him and we know it will stick, even if he just keeps it for a minute.

"He is quick when he gets into his stride and he is a likeable lad.

"At least I know I have him until the end of the season unless someone comes in for him with silly money and in that case I would tell him to go."

Darwen face Stand at home tomorrow looking for retribution after a 3-0 defeat at Ewood Bridge earlier in the season.

The game was dogged with controversy with three players being sent off and many more being booked.

"And there wasn't a bad tackle in the game," said Wilkes.

"Lee Purvis went for a professional foul and the Matt Anderton went off for two yellow cards and then their lad Chris Denham got sent off too.

"But there is no revenge mission, it is just three points.

"They have only lost two games all season and these are teams you want to play."

Stand manager Nick Davis has a mini-crisis at the back after Steve Davis went over on his ankle in training on Tuesday night.

And since his defensive partner Billy McCartney has signed for Salford City, Davis has problems.

"We are hoping Steve will be fit but his ankle was very swollen."

Mark Denham has also left the club after moving to Australia for six months but has been replaced by Micky Wolstenholme from Salford, 'a more experienced player', according to Davis.

Stand haven't played a league game since their 1-0 defeat at Bootle on January 12 and haven't played at all since the 5-2 cup defeat to Salford City four days after that.

"Thanks for reminding me," joked Davis. "I'll have to remember who my team are."

Darwen's Lee Webb (ankle) and Scott Derbyshire (knee) are doubtful after the 2-1 win over Leek CSOB on Tuesday and Jimmy Khan is suspended.