MIDDLESBROUGH will discuss next week what to do about their coaching set-up following the break-up of the Jon Wrigley-John Dixon partnership.

The two policemen took over two years ago at a time when Paul Hodder's four-year reign had ended with the team in decline after finishing fourth in North One three years ago.

Now they are on the threshold of repeating the relegation to North Two they suffered six years ago and at 35 Wrigley is contemplating retirement.

"I haven't been coaching for the last few weeks because of work commitments," he said. "I'll be looking at my options and retirement is one of them.

"I couldn't just coach and not play. It's too frustrating for me standing on the touchline when you can't turn things around."

If Wrigley did decide he wanted to continue playing seriously he could return to Darlington Mowden Park, where he spent a couple of seasons after ending his West Hartlepool career.

But that will probably depend on how things turn out with Phil Harvey, whose comeback from a year's absence with a shoulder injury is temporarily on hold.

Wrigley admits he has found it frustrating with Boro this season, and they again have problems for tomorrow's match away to promotion candidates Hull Ionians.

They are having difficulties in fielding a front row with Nick Prest, Dale Sawdon, Paul Gaynon and Richard Horton all injured or unavailable. Neil Broadhead has been selected at tight head but faces a fitness test.

Wrigley is working and his understudy, Rob Green, is playing in the Student World Cup in Italy, so Ben Roach could switch from centre to scrum half, with Steve Wallis going from back row to centre.

"We are not that much worse than everybody else, but it looks like we're favourites for relegation," admitted Wrigley.

Dixon's involvement may continue next season, but at 40 he is trying to cut back on playing, although he was pressed into service last week when some players were held up in snow.

He is standing by again for tomorrow in case Mark O'Halloran has to move from lock to prop.

Tasi Tuhana is to double up as hooker and prop replacement for Blaydon, who will start with Paul Ritson in the No 2 shirt at Liverpool St Helens.

Iain Dixon returns on the wing after recovering from a broken hand, so Nick Gandy drops to the bench alongside back row man James Kearney, the recent signing from the Newcastle Academy.

Mowden are looking for three successive away wins as they visit National Three North's bottom two clubs, Sandal and West Hartlepool, with the Durham Cup tie at Blaydon inbetween.

West Hartlepool's fourth successive relegation will be confirmed if they lose at Morley, who need the points as they are fifth from the bottom and four could go down.

Darlington entertain Driffield and it is surprising they find themselves only two points ahead of the East Yorkshire club after winning comfortably there in their opening North Division One match.

Stockton are unchanged for the trip to Northern, who have improved recently in their efforts to avoid relegation from North Two East. Nicki Walters stays at centre for Stockton