AFTER Zach Kibirige's rise to stardom was cruelly halted by injury the talented Newcastle Falcons winger hopes to back in action before the end of the season.

A year ago the Yarm School product scored such a sensational try for England Under 20s that it became a You Tube hit, but after following up with his Premiership debut he broke a leg and suffered ankle ligament damage.

At around the time he hoped to be playing again in October it was decided he needed a second operation, but he is now almost ready and could make his comeback for Blaydon.

He lit up several of their matches last season and the Falcons are likely to see National One as his best route back into the game.

Also hoping to return before the end of the season is Blaydon hooker Matt Hall, whose appearances have been restricted by general wear and tear. He will be keen to feature in the final match at home to his former club, Darlington Mowden Park, especially if there is any chance of Blaydon finishing above them.

Despite their five-point deduction, Mowden are three points ahead of their North-East rivals going into today's home match against Coventry.

The once-mighty Midlanders were threatening to challenge for promotion until an unbeaten run of 16 games ended with two defeats. They have slipped into third place and are well off the pace, but it hasn't stopped them bringing in new signings.

The only one appearing today is Bath Academy product Alex Woodburn, who will make his debut at open side. Former All Blacks full back Scott Hamilton, signed from Leicester, is not in the squad.

Blaydon are expecting a tough scrap at Cinderford, who occupy the third relegation place but believe they have enough winnable games to escape. This is one of them, but with the Falcons making Tom Penny, Will Witty and Craig Willis available, Blaydon are planning a strong finish. They will also have Jason Smithson ready to return next week.

A win for Cinderford would virtually seal Tynedale's fate as they can't expect to take any more than a point from their home game against leaders Ealing. The Corbridge men managed a four-try bonus when the sides met in London but still lost heavily.

There could be a problem at fly half as Brett Connon might miss the rest of the season with a pectoral injury and Gavin Beasley's stop-go season could be further interrupted by the arrival of a child.

In National Three North, Billingham go to Rossendale, who are one place below them in seventh, while Westoe will do well to avoid another big defeat away to Wirral.

West Hartlepool need a couple of wins to be sure of safety in North One East and the visit of Pocklington is a key game. The visitors were helped up to this level by the coaching of Sunderland-born ex-West legend Mick Watson, who went on to play for Harlequins.

After scoring in his first two senior games for West, Eldon Myers is required by the Royal Navy, so Scott Butcher switches to centre with Kyle Jamieson on the wing. Ian Pinchen, Liam Bailey and Chris Atkins return to the pack.

After missing last week's game through injury, Iain Bradford is expected to make his 300th appearance for Middlesbrough in their Yorkshire One game at home to Selby. Richard Horton will again be hooking.

Guisborough can take another stride towards the Durham and Northumberland title when they visit a Darlington side whose only wins in their last 14 games have been against the two clubs below them.

Guisborough are neck and neck with Morpeth, who won 53-0 last week at home to Stockton, whose injuries forced the game to end with uncontested scrums.

They will be without hooker Dan Muirhead for today's visit of Novos, but are able to recall Mark Conway, Andy Bailes, Martin Dixon and Phil Douglas to the pack.