Darlington will be back to virtually full strength for tonight's Durham Cup semi-final at Stockton, writes TIM WELLOCK.

After missing Saturday's defeat by Halifax, brothers Craig and Paul Lee return, along with another former Stockton man, flanker Martin Howe.

Their presence is always guaranteed to fire up home skipper Alan Brown and his brother Wayne, who are joined in the back row by the promising Scott Powell.

That means experienced Brett Wildridge will have to settle for a place on the bench on his return to an otherwise unchanged squad from Saturday's morale-boosting win against previously unbeaten Hull.

Heavily beaten in the last two encounters between the clubs, however, Stockton are likely to find that Darlington have pushed on to a higher level after finishing a creditable ninth in their first season in National Three North.

Lock Richard Snowball also returns for the 6.30 kick-off and Darlington's only absentee is centre Dave Haswell, who is on a course.

The winners will face Blaydon in the final on Saturday, kicking off at 2pm at Durham City, where the Durham Second Teams Cup final between Darlington Mowden Park and Horden will also be staged at noon. The Durham Intermediate Cup final between Billingham and Durham City will be at Darlington (3pm).

Middlesbrough will send a weakened side to Doncaster-based Wheatley Hills for tonight's Yorkshire Cup first round tie as their priority is to win Saturday's home promotion play-off against Caldy.