BLAYDON skipper Dave Guthrie rates his chances 50/50 of playing in tomorrow's National Three North match at home to Darlington Mowden Park.

He suffered a buttock muscle injury towards the end of last week's game at Tynedale, which provided Blaydon's sixth win in seven matches since his return.

They lost seven on the trot while he was out with a broken sternum, but his presence might no longer be quite so vital following David Falconer's return to the club.

He has played for the Army and Brive, but Blaydon have been unable to get him into their side with Jimmy Houghton established alongside Guthrie at lock.

Dave Marwick, who can also play in the second row, has been doing well at blind side, Gavin Stainsby is settled at No 8 and the strength in depth was shown last week when Ross Duncan deputised for Andy Wright at open side.

Duncan's relentless tackling has created a selection problem with Wright available, while winger David Grand also returns.

There is still no sign of Mark Bedworth returning for Mowden and with winger James Hamer also still injured the backs will be unchanged.

Newcastle Development prop Ed Kalman has been registered and back row men Matt Holmes and Jason Smithson are fit to return. But lock Naude Pretorius is doubtful after suffering a leg injury last week, while Kelekolio Paino has had only one second team game since his long lay-off and is not considered ready to start.

Another rearranged match taking place tomorrow is Fylde v Tynedale, which was abandoned in late September because of the career-ending spinal injury suffered by Tynedale prop Alistair Johnson.

Relations between the clubs have been excellent, with former England captain Bill Beaumont, a Fylde man, visiting Johnson in hospital.

This match means Darlington will have to wait until April 16 before fitting in their game at Fylde, which was called off last month.

It is Durham Cup first round day tomorrow, but the only tie going ahead in the senior event is Darlington v West Hartlepool.

Craig Lee misses the chance to play against his former club because of a groin injury, so newcomer Neil Howe will be at centre. Rob Goddard deputises for unavailable hooker Dan Oselton and Matt Dilworth returns at lock with Joe Naga on the bench.

Darlington are hoping to get former skipper David Andrew involved again shortly following his recent wedding.

With no free Saturdays available, cup holders Blaydon have offered to play their tie at Horden on a Sunday in March in the hope that the cup semi-finals can go ahead as scheduled on March 26.

The other first round ties are Mowden v Hartlepool Rovers and Stockton v Westoe, but there are bound to be difficulties in fitting in either before the semi-final date.

Westoe are at least up to date with their league fixtures, despite progressing to the quarter-finals of the Powergen Intermediate Cup, in which they visit London Two North club Shelford tomorrow.

Shelford have been in the competition all nine years of its existence and this is the first time they have progressed beyond the fourth round.

They won 29-14 away to Camborne in the fifth round, so it's going to be a tough task for Westoe, whose previous best effort was also to reach the fourth round in 1997.

Yorkshire One club Selby are the only survivors from level seven and they also visit London to play Staines.

Middlesbrough face Altrincham Kersal in the first of three home matches they feel they must win to survive in North One.

They were leading 28-24 away to the Cheshire club two weeks ago, but lost 34-28, so revenge is essential, along with home wins against Sheffield and Liverpool St Helens, who play each other tomorrow.

Boro recall skipper Gavin Fingland and Richard McRae to the back row, allowing Ian Bradford to revert to lock, while Lee Richardson replaces centre Martin Featherstone.