WITH both their highly-rated scrum halves injured, Darlington have been forced to call up David Andrew for today's National Three North derby at home to Mowden Park.
The former skipper held the No 9 shirt for the second half of last season after Rob Stewart broke an arm, then trained in the early part of the summer.
He has done little since his first child was born three months ago, but player-coach Craig Lee said: "He'll probably get himself through on adrenalin."
First choice Sean Richardson has had a minor knee operation and should be fit in two weeks, while Stewart is to see a specialist on Tuesday to discuss having the plate taken out of his arm. It is currently causing him too much pain to risk having him on the bench today.
Newcastle Academy flanker Phil Dawson is available for the first time this season and comes in at open side, with Michael Taylor switching to No 6.
In the absence of Alan Brown, Matt Holmes will be at No 8 against his old teammates as Darlington look to kick-start their season by gaining some revenge for the two derby defeats they suffered last season.
After finishing fifth last season, they are currently third from the bottom and have made a further change by switching Lee Richardson to full back with Ben Snook coming in for his first appearance of the season at centre. Lee Davis drops to the bench.
"We have won only once, but they have all been close games and the key thing is to have a go," said Lee. "We haven't taken the opportunities the opposition have given us, so we have to be ready to attack with turnover ball."
Mowden had hoped to introduce New Zealander Sean Buckley, but he twisted a knee in training and will be out for two weeks.
Mark Darlington suffered a stress fracture of the foot last week, so Danny Brown reverts to hooker to allow Ian Keeligan to return.
Luke Monument and Anthony Peck continue at lock, with Iain Robinson on the bench and Naude Pretorius making his comeback in the second team.
Also on the bench is James Hamer, while another speed merchant, Michael Breen, should be fit next week after an ankle injury. Gareth Kerr will be out for two more weeks, so Ben Allerton continues as centre.
Although they will not feature at home to West Park St Helens, Blaydon have made three signings this week, while also losing prop Michael Thompson, who has gone back to Horden.
In addition to brothers James and Andrew Kyle, they now have the unrelated Robin Kyle, and ex-Rosslyn Park prop who is studying at Newcastle.
Another prop, Liam Gumbrill, has signed from Syston in Leicestershire, and Selwyn St Bernard, a Trinidadian married to an English girl, has joined from Gateshead Thunder. He is playing in the back row for the second team today, but can also play at centre.
Andrew Kyle is back in training after a knee injury, as is winger Matt Dehaty, who broke a leg at the start of last season.
Lock Paul Clark and full back Ralph Smith return today, while Nick Gandy faces a fitness test on a hip injury, with Rob Windle standing by to play at centre.
Middlesbrough are expecting a tough battle at home to Sheffield Tigers, who have risen rapidly through the ranks and recruited heavily from overseas following their promotion to North Two East.
Both teams have won their first three games, and Boro introduce the area's new rugby development officer, Lee Rust, a Leicester Academy product who can play at fly half or centre.
He will start on the bench, with Tom Rattigan retaining his place at centre as the only change sees Richie Barker return at blind side for Matt Wright, who has a leg injury.
Two of the clubs without a win, Hartlepool Rovers and Durham City, meet at the Friarage, while Horden entertain Driffield and West Hartlepool go to Percy Park.
Stockton visit Gosforth in D and N One and start teenager Ben Cordiner at prop after an impressive showing when he went off the bench last week.
Danny Muirhead reverts to hooker and Marc Potts switches to centre as Tom Jeffery is unavailable. Peter Armstrong is on the bench.
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