BLAYDON lock James Houghton has made a complaint of assault to police following the horrific eye injury he suffered at Longton last Saturday.

The Potteries club, who are due at Darlington Mowden Park tomorrow, were understood to be holding a meeting last night to discuss internal disciplinary action.

Blaydon have cited a back row player as their video of the match shows him punching Houghton, who needed 25 stitches.

They also have statements from neutral spectators and the evidence will be considered at an RFU hearing in Leeds on November 20.

Longton were promoted as champions of Midlands One to National Three North last season and have so far lost all five matches.

Blaydon beat them 27-20 to stay second to Halifax, who visit Crow Trees tomorrow and could face a team depleted by flu as well as injury.

Because of their lengthening casualty list, Blaydon have signed well-travelled flanker Shaun Cassidy, who was back at his original club Acklam last season. Inbetween he has played for Middlesbrough, West Hartlepool, Newcastle, Bedford, Mowden Park and Northern.

They have also re-signed winger James O'Malley, who is back in the area for three weeks' holiday.

Houghton's place will go to either Dave Marwick, who was signed from Northern during the summer, or 6ft 7in Northumbria University student Sean Tomes, son of former Scotland lock Alan Tomes. Mowden will be without full back Iain Dixon for several weeks because of a hand injury suffered at work.

Lock Kelekolio Paino's knee injury could also be worse than feared and he is likely to have a scan, while the unfortunate Jonny Golightly had an ankle X-rayed yesterday.

Golightly has been out for a year after a knee operation, but he trained on Tuesday and had every chance of playing tomorrow until an old ankle injury flared up.

On the credit side, back row men Tom McLaren and Eni Gisende are fit again, along with centre Martin Shaw.

In North Two East, Stockton entertain West Hartlepool for the first time for ten years and hope to climb off the bottom by building on last week's improvement.

Notts, Lincs and Derby fly half Jeremy Good is expected to return after an eye injury and will replace the unavailable Nicki Walters. Winger Andy Bare and hooker Dan Muirhead come on to the bench.

Middlesbrough, who drew at West last week, and are now three points adrift of joint leaders Hull and Morpeth, face another away derby at Redcar, while Horden go to Bridlington.

Northallerton entertain Bramley Phoenix and hooker Paul Dennison will switch to prop in the rare absence of Paul Dixon.