FORMER Wanderers defender David Wheater has signed for non-league Darlington.

The 35-year-old has been working with Quakers physio Danny O’Connor during his recovery from a back operation.

Wheater could be included in the squad to face Chorley at Blackwell Meadows this afternoon (KO 3pm).

Speaking in September, he told The Bolton News: “I have always been offered the operation but said I didn’t want to have the time off.

“It is only three or four months so if I can get it done now I’ll be right for January. Darlington would be perfect. It isn’t for money anymore, it’s just so that I can play some football.

“I know the manager, I was at Doncaster on loan with him when I was younger and it is 20 minutes down the road, so it would be great.”

Wheater joined the Whites in 2011 and went on to make over 230 appearances during an eight-year spell with the club.

The Quakers are currently 12th in the National League North table – seven points off the play-off places.

Last month, Darlington boss Alun Armstrong told The Northern Echo: “I’ve known Dave for a long time and I nearly signed him in the summer, but he said he didn’t want to come in and then be injured.

“So that’s credit to him, he wanted to get the op done first and then have a chat. Danny has been doing work with him and we’ll see where it takes us.

“He had the op November time, he’s only a couple of months post-op, it was a bulging disc in his back, so the timescale it usually three months before you can play competitively.

“He’s kept himself in decent shape and if he can get back playing that would be great.”

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