Newcastle prop Marius Hurter will leave the Falcons this month to finish his career in South Africa.

Hurter, the former Springbok tight-head who joined Newcastle in 1998, wants to return home to further his law studies and his wife is expecting their first child.

The 34-year-old will be in contention for Newcastle's next two games, against Saracens in the Powergen Cup on Sunday and the Boxing Day Premiership trip to Leeds, before he flies home on December 30.

Hurter, a member of the South Africa World Cup-winning squad in 1995, has played 109 Premiership games for Newcastle and won Powergen Cup medals in 2001 and 2004.

''Losing Marius is a blow to us after all the great times we have had with him here, but we recognise that he has a new life to go to in South Africa with his law career, his new baby and his Super 12 rugby,'' said Director of Rugby Rob Andrew.

Andrew praised Hurter for the key role he played in the development of young props Micky Ward, Ian Peel and James Isaacson.

''His shoes will be big ones to fill, but we are looking at replacements as we try to build on the good work Marius has done for us."

Hurter admitted it would be wrench to leave Newcastle after six years, but he wants to finish his career with the Cats in Super 12 then the Lions in the Currie Cup.

''I'm glad I ended up in Newcastle and nowhere else in the UK, because everyone has made me and my wife so welcome. It's been a great six years, but the plan was always to go back," he said.

''I feel I owe something to South African rugby. I'll give it one more year.''

Hurter's departure has not helped Darlington Mowden Park, who had hoped to include Falcons Academy tight head Ed Kalman in tomorrow's National Three North match away to second-placed Macclesfield.

They needed him because Danny Brown is doubtful with an arm injury, but Newcastle have decided not to release Kalman so Dave Sinclair may be pressed into service one last time before departing for New Zealand.

There are also question marks over last week's locks, Ian Robinson and Paul Evans, who both went off with injuries early in the second half against Halifax. But Naude Pretorius and Eni Gisende are available to step in and the real shortage of manpower is again in the backs.

Darlington hope to have flanker Martin Howe back for their home match against New Brighton. He was badly missed in last week's heavy defeat at Kendal, where Darlington started well enough but faded.

"Conditions were atrocious and they adapted to them very well," said player-coach Craig Lee. "They kicked and chased and their centres and both wingers put us under a lot of pressure. We didn't do anything to combat that - we have to learn to get the ball back in front of the forwards."

Also back from injury are lock Tom Wilkinson, who will probably be on the bench, and centre Lee Davies, who comes straight back in as Ben Snook is going to a wedding in Switzerland.

Joe Oselton still has a hamstring problem, so Paul Scott continues at prop with Paul Shepherd on the bench, while David Glendenning comes in at full back for the suspended David Kell.

Kell has been banned for one game following his dismissal at Mowden Park, where he swung a punch.

Middlesbrough are desperate to avenge their one-point home defeat by Birkenhead Park in the Powergen Intermediate Cup when the Merseysiders return for tomorrow's North One match.

The visitors are in mid-table with six wins out of 11, whereas Boro are next to the bottom but showing signs of improvement.They recall Martin Featherstone at centre for the injured Dave Richardson and Simon Moore comes in at fly half with Neil Baggett reverting to full back.

In North Two East leaders Westoe are at home to Redcar and second-placed Huddersfield entertain bottom club Horden.

Hartlepool Rovers will be seeking a fourth successive win at home to Malton and Norton, while West Hartlepool visit Sandal .

West have prop Brett Cullinane back for one week before he goes home to New Zealand for three weeks. He replaces Mark Cholmondeley, who will be out for two to four weeks with a suspected broken foot after it was stood on by teammate Anth Carr.

Henry Tones returns following concussion, but David Tighe has not recovered from the blow in the face he took early last week so Phil Wallis will be at fly half with Martin Todd at full back.

Stockton recall Gary Skirving for injured prop Russell Alderson for the home match against Alnwick. They retain the same backs.