NEWCASTLE Falcons are determined to use two successive home games to climb away from the lower reaches of the Zurich Premiership.

They face third-placed Sale tomorrow and London Irish next week, when the game will go ahead on the Sunday despite a plea from England coach Clive Woodward to bring it forward a day.

Woodward belatedly asked all clubs who normally play on Sundays to switch to Saturday to give the England players an extra day to recover before the match against New Zealand at Twickenham on November 9.

But Newcastle established four years ago that they attract better crowds on a Sunday and feel they could lose up to 2,000 off their gate by making the switch.

The only player from either side likely to be affected is Falcons' skipper Jonny Wilkinson, whose only serious rival for the England No 10 shirt is Sale's Charlie Hodgson.

But Hodgson is suffering from a knee injury and will miss tomorrow's game, along with England squad flanker Alex Sanderson, who has a shoulder problem.

England full back Jason Robinson will be back for Sale after missing their Heineken Cup games over the last two weeks.

Wilkinson is likely to play against both Sale and London Irish, but with the three autumn internationals coming up Newcastle will also give Phil Godman more experience at fly half.

The 20-year-old Scot went on early in the second half against Grenoble last Sunday and he and Wilkinson alternated between fly half and inside centre.

With David Walder and Dave Richardson both injured, Godman is the best option to play at No 10 when Wilkinson is absent for the games against Bristol, Bath and Saracens.

"Jonny is comfortable wherever he plays and we are always trying to find game time for Phil," said Director of Rugby Rob Andrew.

"We have to be prepared to be without Jonny during the internationals, but we can't take any risks over the next two weeks. These are two crucial games, and the two performances against Grenoble gave us a good platform."

Newcastle share third from bottom place in the Premiership with Bath and two wins could lift them well up the table.

But their biggest problem is their form away from home and they will want to put that right when they visit bottom club Bristol in two weeks for the first game Wilkinson misses.

Godman was asked to join Tynedale centre Paul Boston in the Scottish Districts Under 21 squad to play the Broders back-up squad on Monday, but it was felt best not to make him available the day after the Sale match.

Prop Ian Peel is expected to return for the Falcons after a back injury, allowing Micky Ward to rest a shoulder problem.

There is a slight doubt about Epi Taione, who suffered a reaction to his knee problem when he returned to action last Sunday.

Darlington Mowden Park have selected former skipper John Hutchinson at No 8 for today's visit of Blaydon in National Division Three North.

After a couple of seasons as Barnard Castle's player-coach, the former Durham County player returned to Mowden this season despite their glut of back row players.

With skipper Aaron Redaelli still injured, Hutchinson gets the vote ahead of Kelekolia Paino, who is on the bench.

The other Tongan, Vahanoa Faleovalu, plays at blind side with ex-Blaydon flanker Jon Dye named at lock as there is a slight question mark over Ian Robinson, who was injured two weeks ago.

Jonny Golightly should soon be fit to return, but acting captain Mark Bedworth continues at fly half with Iain Dixon at full back against his former club.

Darlington have player-coaches Phil Lancaster and Craig Lee back after injury for their visit to North One leaders Morley.

Relegated last season, Morley have won all five league games to date, although not convincingly until they won 29-8 at West Hartlepool two weeks ago.

A points difference of 53 from five wins should not strike fear into Darlington, who are hoping for a dry surface.

Hooker Dan Osleton and winger Paul Beattie also return, but there is a doubt about lock Richard Snowball. As the second team are also at Morley, Rick Taylor could be drafted in to partner Paul Radford in the second row, while Dave Inman provides another option after a promising display in the friendly against Middlesbrough.

l The draw for the third round of the Powergen Intermediate Cup on November 9 includes: Horden v Consett, Wigton v Durham City, Percy Park v Westoe, Winlaton Vulcans v Penrith