DARLINGTON Mowden Park embark on their run of four home games today with skipper Gareth Nesbit's sights on a top four finish in National One.

Pre-season promotion favourites Rosslyn Park are the visitors, followed by second-placed Blackheath and Nesbit feels both can be beaten if recent form is maintained.

“We have won seven on the trot, but I would never be stupid or arrogant enough to say we will go through the rest of the season undefeated,” he said.

“But as long as everybody is prepared to keep working hard we are not going to be out of our depth against any team in this league.

“Rosslyn Park are capable of beating us if we don't play well, but in the rain at Henley last week we produced our best 40 minutes of the season in the first half.

“There could have been a lull after the Christmas break, but the inter-play and offloading were fantastic.”

With fellow prop Ignas Darkintis back from injury, along with lock Tom Jubb and centre Garry Law, Mowden are back to full strength to face the team who are one point above them.

Seb Ferreira, who deputised for Jubb last week, is on the bench with supersub Simon Uzokwe, which means there is no place for last season's ever-present Callum Mackenzie.

“I'd like to think we can get into the top four this season,” added Nesbit. “Promotion isn't something we talk about, but this club keeps progressing year by year and I think it would be sustainable in the Championship.

“It's inevitable that players move on to higher clubs, but hopefully most of this squad will stay. It took a while to settle down, but now they have all got to know each other there is a tremendous spirit, helped by our amazing support.”

Mowden can expect a four-figure crowd today with a lot of matches likely to be off. Blaydon would not be confident of playing at home, but have been told there is no problem for their relegation battle at Wharfedale.

Neither side can afford to lose and the Grassington club will be desperate to rekindle the spark which saw them win 43-13 at Crow Trees in September.

They used the pace of their back three to run Blaydon ragged and have Maxime Labasse back from France to play at full back. But the confines of their smaller pitch, plus heavy conditions, should be in Blaydon's favour.

If Gavin Jones is fit after being ruled out by illness last week he will take over from the departed Shaun English in the second row. Otherwise skipper Keith Laughlin will move up, with Callum Chick coming into the back row.

Now that Newcastle Falcons have Andy Goode to provide fly half cover, Brett Connon has been made available and returns to Blaydon's No 10 shirt.

Tynedale's pitch is still not ready to stage a match and they have again been offered the use of Kingston Park, where they will kick off at 6.30 against Sedgley Park, who lie second in National Two North.

Tynedale will not have the services of new head coach Scott Lawson as the former Scotland hooker is required by the Falcons at London Irish.

Billingham visit Hull in Three North with Michael Whinn at No 8 as Danny Dixon is unavailable, while Adam Radwan returns on the wing.

West Hartlepool will need a pitch inspection this morning to decide whether their North One East game against Guisbrough can go ahead.

Chris Atkins was concussed in Boxing Day's easy win against Hartlepool Rovers, but Michael Hogan has recovered from a back injury. Aaron Myers is available and will be on the bench.

Middlesbrough will expect to gain maximum points at home to second-bottom Ponteland in Durham and Northumberland One. Sam Gaudie is at fly half, so Matthew Todd switches to full back with Andy Micklewright on the wing. Alastair Lang comes in at No 8.

Stockton visit Darlington hoping for improved form after a disappointing run, although they will not expect to top 90 points as they did in the reverse fixture.

Experienced backs Simon Crozier and Steve Thornton deputise fir Dan Phinn and Dan Taylor, while Martin Dixon comes into the second row alongside Phil Douglas, who has recovered from knee surgery.