FORMER England Schools star James Lofthouse has agreed to travel up from London to play for Blaydon until they sort out their fly half dilemma.

They signed prolific goal-kicker Jason Davies during the summer, but he did not impress and has now returned to Wales.

Lofthouse has started work in London but will fly up for tomorrow's tough match at home to National Three North leaders Nuneaton, who have the most-capped Tongan international fly half Euci Vinipola in their No 10 shirt. Blaydon hope open side Gavin Stainsby, an army man who has settled in well, might be able to keep tabs on Vinipola and cut the supply line which has seen Nuneaton average 39 points a match.

Either Andy Foreman, who has recovered from a toe injury, or ex-Morpeth man Mick Dungait, who has joined from Jedforest, will partner Lofthouse at half back.

Matthew Dunn, a Welshman who has been with the club for two weeks, could make is debut at centre. Blaydon have some selection problems as the first team have won one out of four games and the Development XV have won all five matches in the Northern Second Teams League.

They also won an excellent match against Northumbria University 26-13 on Wednesday night with a team featuring 12 of the club's ex-colts.

The Development XV is now coached by Tom Brooks and Lee Hogarth following the summer defection of Rod Maclure and Keith Lupton, who have already parted company with Darlington Mowden Park.

Middlesbrough are hoping ex-colt Carl Burnett might help to solve their goal-kicking problems when he plays at centre in the North Two East match at home to Goole.

Burnett, who has spent the last couple of seasons with Wharfedale, takes over from Mark Featherstone, who switches to the wing, with Danny Poole going to full back.

Peter Davidson and Richard Horton return to the front row, while Mark O'Halloran and Jason Malcolm start at lock with coach John Dixon preferring to urge them on from the touchline.

Stockton visit Alnwick hoping to make amends for the controversial defeat by Westoe.

Nicky Poole is expected to be available to play at scrum half, allowing Simon Moore to revert to fly half and Lee Richardson to full back.

The forwards are unchanged.