MIDDLESBROUGH have suffered another blow as they attempt to get away from the lower reaches of North Division One.

Player-coach Jon Wrigley has a dead leg and will miss tomorrow's tough match at Aspatria, when Boro will try a new half back combination.

Former Darlington colt Rob Green, originally from Consett, replaces Wrigley at scrum half and will be partnered by 18-year-old Steve Jones.

Jones was at full back in last week's defeat by Darlington, but he plays fly half for Stockton Sixth Form College.

Mark Foster comes in at full back and will take over the goal-kicking, while Andy Micklewright returns on the wing after recovering from flu.

Andrew Catterson takes over from unavailable hooker Richard Horton and prop Nick Prest is back, with Chris Horton switching to loose head.

Former Selby player Rob Taylor, a Teesside University student, continues at No 8 in a back row still lacking Steve Wallis with a neck injury.

"Steve has been a big miss because he was our best forward in the early games," said Wrigley.

"We can't seem to get a settled side at the moment but we have no game next week and Steve should be ready for the following week.

"I'll be fit by then as well and Richard Horton becoming regularly available will be a big boost to us."

Blaydon's long-serving skipper Dave Guthrie will be out for eight weeks with a broken hand, so Jason Oakes takes over the captaincy.

Oakes, who is to leave the RAF early next year, steps in at lock for David Falconer for tomorrow's National Three North match at home to Whitchurch.

Darlington Mowden Park appear to have seen the last of former West Hartlepool centre Anthony Elwine, who is working in Lincolnshire and is likely to join Spalding.

Mowden are hoping to register a Durham University student before tomorrow's match at home to bottom club Bedford Athletic.

In North Two East, Stockton entertain third-placed Morpeth, whose only defeat was by 69-3 away to leaders Cleckheaton, who won by one point at Stockton last week.

Lock Mark Skirving, flanker Brett Wildridge and skipper Alan Brown could all return for Stockton, although Phil Austen, Andy Cowell and Wayne Brown all deputised very capably.

The backs will be unchanged if Simon Crozier's nose has recovered sufficiently from the rearrangement it suffered last week