NEWCASTLE Falcons will be without fly half Dave Walder and flanker Epi Taione for tonight's Zurich Premiership match at Leicester.

Both were injured in Sunday's 9-8 win at home to Sale, along with skipper Mark Andrews, who missed the second half with a head injury.

There were fears he might be concussed, but he has been passed fit to face the Tigers and his presence will be vital as the Falcons hardly won a line-out after the interval against Sale.

Walder suffered a dead leg and Director of Rugby Rob Andrew felt he had been targeted while also criticising World Cup referee Tony Spreadbury's handling of the breakdown area, describing it as a "free-for-all."

Walder is vital to the Falcons during Jonny Wilkinson's absence, but the consolation is that Leicester have seven forwards on World Cup duty. In Martin Johnson's absence they are led by former All Blacks flanker Josh Kronfeld.

There were fears that Taione had broken an ankle, and while it turned out to be ligament damage the Tongan powerhouse will still be out for three weeks.

Phil Godman comes in at fly half, where he had several outings last season, while Jon Dunbar takes Taione's place at blind side.

Among the front row replacements is Westoe product David Wilson, a graduate of the Newcastle Academy. Along with Barnard Castle School centre Matthew Tait, he was recently named in the England Junior National Academy squad.

Newcastle: B Gollings, T May, J Noon, M Mayerhofler, M Stephenson, P Godman, H Charlton, I Peel, N Makin, M Hurter, G Archer, M Andrews (capt), J Dunbar, W Britz, H Vyvyan. Replacements: J Grindal, M Wilkinson, M Ward, M Thompson, C Hamilton, P Dowson, D Wilson

Middlesbrough's new coach, John Moore, is hoping his young team clicks at home to York in North Two East tomorrow.

Although Boro have won their first three games, Moore said: "We have not played very well so far, so the day we put it all together some team will be on the end of a thrashing.

"Last week five of the backs were 19 or 20 and they are all local lads. As long as we can keep them we will hopefully move forward, but it will take a couple of years.

"Their needs and skills are different from some of the clubs I have coached, so it's a big challenge for me."

Centre Lee Richardson and winger Danny Poole return, so Andy Micklewright switches to full back and Danny Bishop to fly half. Lock Tom Ellis and No 8 Dean Gardner also return.

Boro have been drawn at home to Houghton in the second round of the Intermediate Cup on October 18, when other ties involving North-East teams are: Hartlepool Rovers v Horden, Hartlepool v Driffield and Ashington v Gateshead.

Stockton visit Bridlington without flanker Wayne Brown, who has been given a three-match ban following his dismissal against Boro.

Phil Austen will deputise while hooker Danny Muirhead returns after a hernia operation. Ex-colt Dave Braney could come in for unavailable winger Andy Bare.