Shrewsbury Town’s promotion prospects could be enhanced as one of their rivals for the push to League One stands on the brink of administration.

Reports from the north east suggested there is a “strong possibility” Darlington would enter administration today.

That would mean bring a mandatory 10-point penalty from the Football League for the Quakers and further open up the League Two promotion race.

Darlington currently lie seventh in the table, despite last night’s 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Rochdale.

They are just one point adrift of fifth placed Shrewsbury and have three games in hand.

But if the worst fears of the County Durham club are realised, it would give Paul Simpson’s side one less team to contend with in the race for automatic promotion and play-off places in what is a congested top of the table.

The reports suggest that the reign of Darlington’s current chairman George Houghton is nearing an end after two-and-a-half years.

Poor crowds have also been a massive problem at Darlington, who had an average attendance of just 3,100 last season in their 27,500 all-seater stadium, built by former chairman George Reynolds.

Meanwhile, new loan signing David Worrall will have his first chance to impress in a Shrewsbury Town shirt tonight.

The 18-year-old attack minded midfielder, who signed on an initial one-month deal from West Bromwich Albion yesterday, is expected to play some part in tonight’s reserve team home game against Sheffield United (7pm).

Simpson looks set to name a strong team, with Glyn Garner, Darren Moss, Shane Cansdell-Sherriff, Kelvin Langmead, Marc Pugh and Michael Symes amongst the first-team squad members pencilled in for a start.

Simpson is also hoping to include two mystery trialists in the line-up as he continues his bid to freshen up his squad for the run-in.

By JAMES GARRISON