Darlington Mowden Park have secured the release of the Newcastle Development XV's current captain Eni Gisende for tomorrow's derby at Blackwell Meadows.

The Development XV are breaking new ground on Monday in trying to strengthen the Falcons' Cumbrian connections by taking a home match against Sale to Penrith, kicking off at 2pm.

But they have agreed that Gisende can play against Darlington, although Mowden's other Development XV player, prop Danny Brown, has been ruled out for four weeks with a back injury.

Darlington look likely to be without No 8 Alan Brown because of the knee injury suffered early in last week's defeat at Blaydon, but lock Richard Snowball has recovered from his back problem.

Of the Lee brothers fly half Paul should be fit but Craig is still struggling with the knee injury which kept him out last week.

Mowden await fitness checks on last week's casualties, Anthony Peck, Ricky Bagier and Roddy Gouionnet, before finalising their squad. Bagier is the most doubtful with his ankle injury, but Gisende can take his place at open side.

If Peck is unfit Naude Pretorius is likely to come into the second row, although Luke Monument is also pressing after coming through a second team game on his return from injury last week.

Newcastle Falcons will have Mathew Tait back from England Sevens duty for Sunday's European Challenge Cup tie at home to L'Aquila.

Tait will be fancying a few tries after the Falcons beat the same opponents 86-0 in Italy last week, but he insists there is no danger of complacency.

"L'Aquila will want to put the record straight and get some pride back," he said. "The main theme in our talks this week has been about being as professional as we can.

"Getting a home quarter-final, and potentially semi-final, is hugely important and tries scored could be a big factor."

Tait helped England win the Dubai Sevens, beating Fiji in the final, but they lost to the same opponents in the semi-final in South Africa.

"It was very enjoyable," he said. "The tournament at George in South Africa was a lot bigger than last year with a lot more people coming to watch. It was disappointing to lose, but it was a good trip."

Tait will be on the right wing with James Hoyle on the left after being forced off by illness after 15 minutes last week.

That meant flankers Mike McCarthy and Cory Harris had to play on the wings, with Harris scoring two tries.

Matt Burke will again sit on the bench as the only backs replacement and there are two changes in the pack with Andy Long and Robbie Morris coming into the front row for Matt Thompson and Tino Paoletti.

Stockton visit North Two East's bottom club Sandal, who were unable to raise a front row for last week's game at Durham City.

Flanker Brett Wildridge is ruled out by his back problem and will be replaced by Neil Atkinson, returning after an early season knee injury. Winger Ritchie Brown is also available and could replace Tom Jeffery, who was injured last week.

Sunderland hope to go one better than last season, when they lost at this stage 13-11 at Heaton Moor, when they entertain Scarborough in the fifth round of the Powergen Junior Vase.

* Billingham's Cruz Kawa-Kameni will appeal against a 12-week ban at an RFU hearing at the Leeds/Brighouse Holiday Inn on Monday. The ban was for an alleged butt against Horden, who were found guilty of racially abusing Kawa-Kameni, although they have strenuously denied the charge.