BLAYDON expect to recall their two highly-rated back row signings, Ed Thorp and Pat Segi, for tomorrow's Powergen National Trophy tie at home to Darlington Mowden Park.

Both have missed the last two matches through injury, but Blaydon hope their only absentee will be unavailable full back Michael Campbell.

Director of Rugby Nick Gandy, who went on for the last 15 minutes of last week's 74-10 home win against Cleckheaton, is one option for the No 15 shirt, while brothers Richard and Robert Windle are also in the frame.

The league meetings between the sides last season were both won by the away team, the one at Crow Trees being controversially postponed because of frost.

Mowden ultimately benefited from that as the match was played during their excellent run at the end of the season.

The teams will meet four times this year as they have also been drawn together in the Durham Cup at Mowden.

Darlington are likely to be without two of their most experienced players, Craig Lee and Martin Howe, for their cup tie at New Brighton.

Lee has an arm injury and Howe a dead leg, so former Middlesbrough and Yorkshire Under 20s player Lee Davies will partner Ben Snook at centre, with Phil Dawson switching to the back row.

Apeni Kororua returns at full back and Adam Kibirige comes in for unavailable winger Simon Crozier.

Prop Joe Oselton returned this week from New Zealand, where he has been playing a good standard of rugby, and will start on the bench.

Darlington lost 32-19 in the first round of the cup at New Brighton three years ago and their only win against the Merseysiders was 34-17 at home 20 months ago.

But after amassing a combined total of 99 points in their last two games, Darlington travel in hope to face the side who are third from the bottom in National Three North.

Middlesbrough coach David Butcher was so pleased with his forwards in last week's defeat at West Park St Helens that he can afford to leave hooker Richard Horton on the bench for tomorrow's North One home match against Birkenhead Park.

Gavin Fingland returns at open side, with Mark Kerruish dropping to the bench, and Danny Poole is back on the wing.

Lee Richardson will be out for two or three weeks with a torn hamstring, so his brother Dave continues alongside Andy Micklewright at centre, with the impressive Andy Baggett at full back.

"The pack played extremely well last week," said Butcher. "We had the gap down to one point when we drove all the way to their line and their No 6 dived over the ball.

"He got away with it, but when Simon Moore did the same two minutes later he was yellow carded and they scored two late tries.

"The signs are encouraging, but it's time we started winning."

Stockton are also without a point in North Two East, and will be struggling to get off the mark away to leaders Sheffield.

Flanker Wayne Brown returns after a wrist injury and prop Gary Skirving is also back, but in the backs Andy Bare, Ritchie Brown and Jeremy Good are all at a wedding.

Tom Armstrong switches to fly half, Anthony Parkinson and Tom Jeffery are on the wings, and Dan Cowell is at full back.