Aynsley had a very successful loan spell with us last season, and established himself as a firm favourite with some great displays.

He returned to Boro when his loan spell finished at the end of the season after playing 16 games.

He will be a part of a strong Boro squad that thumped Bishop Auckland in a friendly last Saturday. They include several promising players, one of whom is midfielder Ben Liddle, son of Darlo legend Craig.

Ones to watch out for are midfielder Billal Brahimi and defender Djed Spence.

The squad is:

Aynsley Pears, Brad James, Djed Spence, Nathan McGinley, Daniel Ward, Enes Mahmutovic, Patrick Reading, Nathan Dale, Sam Stubbs, Connor Malley, Ben Liddle, Stephen Walker, Callum Cooke, Nathan Guru, Billal Brahimi, Kian Spence, Alex Pattison, Tyrone O’Neill, Stephen Walker.

The team is managed by Paul Stephenson, and he is assisted by former Darlington defender Graeme Lee.