Darlington Mowden Park's two Tongans, Kelekolia Paino and Vaha Faleovalu, are hoping to play Rugby League for Gateshead Thunder during the summer.

They will first complete the season with Mowden, whose last league game is scheduled for April 12 at Hull Ionians.

Both are tall and athletic forwards who look better equipped for seven-a-side than 13-a-side, unlike their stocky teammate Chris Strong, who has proved a big hit with Teesside Steelers.

Whether Mowden will want them back next season remains to be seen. Although they have both steadily improved and were in storming form in the last home match against Hull, Mowden could decide that they need to use at least one of their two overseas slots for a back.

Despite playing so well at hooker last week, Strong could revert to centre for tomorrow's home match against National Three North's bottom club, Scunthorpe.

Flanker Tony Irwin will make his comeback after his heel operation in the Durham Second Teams Cup tie against Westoe.

Blaydon, keen to finish top North-East team in the division, have a chance to close on Tynedale when they entertain Broadstreet, while the Corbridge club are away to New Brighton.

Matthew Dunn, who began the season with Blaydon then went home to Wales, has returned and will play at inside centre with Gerry Viguurs switching to the wing.

James Lofthouse is at full back, Phil Ritson and Justin Clarke come into the front row and skipper Dave Guthrie switches to blind side with Mike Donaldson returning at lock.

After last week's win against Alnwick, Stockton hope to be unchanged for the first time for several months for their trip to Bradford and Bingley in North Two East. That means Graham Kell continues at fly half in the absence of Lee Richardson.

The hosts recently lost their 100 per cent record at Redcar, but they have reached the last eight of the Powergen Intermediate Cup and are looking for a cup and league double.

Middlesbrough have rung the changes for their rearranged game away to leaders Sheffield.

Ex-colt Craig Chapman has recently returned to the club and comes in at loose head, while Jason Malcolm is at lock and Jim Chapman returns at No 8.

Mark Foster comes in at full back, with Danny Poole switching to the wing and James Thomas to centre.

* West Hartlepool have been granted outline planning permission to develop a new club at the Brinkburn ground in Catcote Road.

One member of the Hartlepool planning committee suggested that West should merge with another club in the town, but the vote was carried 7-3.

West, who are facing their fifth successive relegation since selling their ground at Brierton Lane, will now apply for Lottery funding. A club spokesman said: "We hope this will provide the club and town with a sports facility which will be a major benefit to rugby players, football players and any other sports which ourselves and the Sixth Form College feel can be accommodated."

* The Durham County committee have expressed their disappointment with Consett for fielding player-coach Mick Kent in a Durham Fourth Teams Shield match against Darlington.

But it was decided that Consett's 15-10 win could stand after Darlington alleged that their opponents had included three first team players.

* Newcastle Falcons pair, flanker Ben Woods and lock Jeff Parling, are in a 32-man England Under 21 squad to start three days of training at Bisham Abey on Sunday. The first Six Nations match is against France at Newbury on February 14.