DARWEN striker Matt Swailes has told Salford City he will not be returning to the club.
The former Chorley player had an understanding with Salford that he would return to the North West Counties First Division title hopefuls once he had regained his fitness at Darwen.
But Darwen manager Steve Wilkes says he will not be going back - or anywhere else for that matter.
"He has handed his tracksuit back in at Salford.
"He has told them he is staying with us. He says he has never been happier playing football."
First Division side Clitheroe were in for Swailes only weeks ago but he turned them down.
"He doesn't want to go anywhere else. He is happy here," said Wilkes.
Wilkes has signed a goalkeeper as cover for Lee Purvis, who will miss a series of games in the coming weeks after being sent off against Stand.
Kevin Baldwin has joined the club from Morecambe. The 21-year-old former Preston North End keeper has been frozen out of the Conference club since they decided to go full-time. He was disappointed not to be offered a full-time contract and decided to leave the club.
Darwen face Holker Old Boys in NWCL Division Two tomorrow.
DARWEN launch their book - 'Darwen Football Club - Memories' - at the Anchor Ground before tomorrow's game.
An exhibition charting the 130-year history of football in Darwen will be on display in the clubhouse before and after the match.
Copies of the book, written by Lancashire-based sports writer Paul Breeze, will be on sale, priced £10, from 2pm.
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