No place for Tommy Wright, says Darlington boss Cooper

Wright made just 21 league appearances for the Quakers in his second spell at the Arena

Darlington boss Mark Cooper says the quality of strikers within his squad was behind the decision to part company with Tommy Wright this week.

The 26-year-old had failed to make an appearance this season, with strikers Ryan Bowman, James Walshaw and John Campbell ahead in the selection order.

"I couldn't see him playing in the team," Cooper told BBC Tees.

"He's fit, his attitude is fine but the forwards we've got are more mobile and a better bet for where we're going."

Wright returned to Darlington in June 2010, but has been limited to 21 league appearances in that time, scoring four goals.

Prior to that move the Leicester-born forward had been with Aberdeen and Grimsby.

In contrast to losing Wright and Charlton signing Michael Smith, Cooper was able to strengthen in the shape of Spanish defender Jonathan Sanchez-Munoz, and is happy with the depth of his squad.

"The boys realise they've got to be at the top of their game to keep players out, we're not going to achieve what we want to with just 11 players," Cooper added.

"We've got to have competition for places, people have commented on the players we had on the bench the other day.

"If we are going to succeed we have to have that competition, but you look at Luton - they can go out and spend £100,000 on a striker.

"It's not going to be easy, we know that, but I'm pleased with the squad we've got."