WESTOE, two divisions below Waterloo last season, will be confident of victory when they entertain the fallen giants tomorrow.

The visitors are heading for a second successive relegation as they share bottom place with Bradford and Bingley in National League Two North, while Westoe are getting back towards full strength.

Despite a 38-31 defeat at fourth-placed Broadstreet last week, the two bonus earned by the South Shields men lifted them into ninth spot and they are boosted by the return of prop Raymie Elliott, lock Paul Bird and scrum half Chris Judson.

Perhaps the best news from the casualty front is that, against expectations, outside centre James Clark has declared himself fit after limping off with a dead leg at Broadstreet. He will again be linking up with his twin, winger Chris, who replaced him after coming back from a torn hamstring.

The speedy duo, who have also played for Mowden Park and Blaydon, have bagged eight tries between them, while two more ex-Mowden players, Aaron Myers and Michael Ellery, are proving athletic and vigorous back row men.

It is the defence that is causing concern as Westoe have conceded more than 30 points three times and never fewer than 16.

Waterloo have won only once, but Westoe skipper Gareth Nesbit said: “They are a big club with a great tradition and they are going to come at us hard.

“But I have never been too worried about the opposition, rather we need to look at ourselves.

“Some things we are doing are really good and some need to be improved.”

After their first win on the plastic pitch at Gosforth last week, Stockton host Durham and Northumberland One leaders Northern, who are unbeaten this season.

Coach Craig Lee could be pressed into service as fly half Jeremy Good has suffered a recurrence of his hamstring problem.

Veteran centre Graham Kell is unavailable, so Ritchie Brown takes his place after scoring four tries last week.

Tom Jeffery has recovered from his hamstring injury and comes into the squad at the expense of teenage winger Shaun McLaren.

Lock Phil Austen should be fit after dislocating a finger last week’s warm-up.