Michael Stephenson will be looking to put himself in the frame for next week's Powergen Cup semi-final when he returns to action for the Newcastle Falcons today.

Stephenson has just recovered from a lengthy lay-off with a dislocated elbow and with no match for the first team, he is part of a strong second-string which takes on Leicester at Kingston Park (2pm).

The 23-year-old wing suffered the injury during the Zurich Premiership match against Harlequins on January 4 and will be looking for a good performance this afternoon in front of Falcons' director of rugby Rob Andrew ahead of next week's clash with surprise Cup semi-finalists Pertemps Bees of National League One. "It's his first start for probably six weeks now," said academy manager John Fletcher yesterday. "He is looking good, looking sharp." Asked whether Stephenson would figure in the home tie next week he said: "That'll partly depend on his performance and how he looks tomorrow. I would imagine he will be involved in the squad for next week - but whether he starts or not I guess will depend on how he looks."

Stephenson is joined in the ranks today by full-back Daryl Lilley, the Kiwi signed recently until the end of the season, wing Ben Gollings and squad players Martin Shaw, Mark Wilkinson, Phil Godman and James Grindal.

"Normally we have about three backs and a couple of forwards maximum really, to keep them ticking over," said Fletcher. "But because they don't have a game it is just an opportunity to give them a bit of time. We are looking for the academy guys to hold their hands up and for the first team guys just to get some time on the pitch really.

"We've got a semi-final to come and hopefully we'll have a final after that and hopefully we can make a big push to the end of the season."

Leicester are also expected to field some experienced players and Fletcher urged supporters to come out and watch. "It's very exciting rugby," he said. "Clearly, it's the second best standard of rugby in the region by some way. They are quick games, as quick as the Premiership."

* Darlington Mowden Park's game against Liverpool St. Helens game has been rearranged for March 27. It was scheduled to have been played on February 28 but was called off because of the snow.

Meanwhile, the club is still negotiating over a date for the Senior Cup tie against Stockton. It may be played on Sunday, March 21 but club officials say it will most likely be a midweek fixture.

Neither Darlington nor Middlesbrough have games this weekend, while West Hartlepool face North Two East champions Hull.

However, they will have to battle on without club captain Tim Sawyer who is on England duty with the England Rugby Deaf XV.

Sawyer, deaf in his left ear, took a hearing test which showed he had more than the minimum hearing loss of 25 decibels.

After joining the squad for training he was selected for the side to face Wales at Newbury RFC today.