BLAYDON are to try Andrew Baggett at full back as they attempt to stave off the threat of relegation from National Two by winning at home to Cambridge today.

The ex-Middlesbrough and Wharfedale player was seen as the answer to Blaydon’s fly-half problem when he was signed last summer, but after a reasonable start he appeared to lose confidence.

His goal-kicking suffered, but he will not be required to take on those duties today as Newcastle’s Rory Clegg is again at fly-half.

Baggett replaces Charlie Rayner, who struggled last week in the home defeat by Southend which left Blaydon only four points above the safety mark.

They are strengthened by the return of prop Robbie Kalbraier and flanker Scott Riddell, and Newcastle have made Peter Browne available. Usually a back-row man, he will deputise at lock for injured skipper Dave Guthrie.

On what was scheduled as a blank day Ben Mercer and the Clark twins, Chris and James, are unavailable. Peter Phelan, who was replaced at half-time by Chris Clark last week, again starts at scrum-half and Patrick Dias returns at centre after a groin operation.

He played a starring role in the Durham Second Teams Cup final victory against Darlington Mowden Park last week.

Mowden visit Caldy today, hoping to complete a National Three North double and keep alive their slender survival hopes.

As Macclesfield won at the Wirral club a fortnight ago and Mowden then won at Macclesfield, they have plenty of reason for optimisim.

They beat Caldy narrowly at home in early season, but until last week their only other wins had been against bottom club Halifax.

Luke Monument returns to the second row, with Matt Wood dropping to the bench, and Tom Young replaces hooker Howie Murray.

For West Hartlepool’s trip to Morley in North One skipper Anth Carr has to settle for a place on the bench after completing his suspension.

The pack is unchanged, but with Peter Hodgson unavailable, Gareth Kerr is at centre with Colin Cheslin returning on the wing. Paul Moss reverts to fly-half.