DARLINGTON Mowden Park will introduce a new scrum half at Fylde today as injuries continue to pile up.

“It has been a nightmare,” said Director of Rugby Danny Brown, who will take a look at New Zealand triallist Mia Gibbs after regular No 9 Tim Duchesne suffered a knee injury.

No 8 David Fisher broke his ankle last week and with Rory Duff and Joe Craggs also injured Brown is pleased to welcome back Matt Heaton from duty with the Canadian national team.

“It was a relief to get a win last week,” said Brown. “I would have taken any kind of win, but after watching it again on the video it was better than we thought. We will be looking to continue that this week.”

Prop Joe Sproston has been recalled by Doncaster and the other loan signing, fly half Warren Seals, will be playing his last game before returning to Yorkshire Carnegie.

Ralph Appleby returns at loose head, and there should be more choice in the front row next week with James Penman back from suspension. Darren Fearn is also available again and is on the bench today.

Lorenzo Cemecetti comes into the second row and James Fitzpatrick starts at centre with Garry Law dropping to the bench.

Blaydon have their dual-registered players available for the must-win match at home to Cambridge. The four they have gone for are prop Andrew Foster, lock Andrew Davidson, scrum half Ruaridh Dawson and full back Brett Connon.

Andrew Archibald, ever-present in recent weeks, takes a breather on the bench, where he is joined by returning prop Robbie Kalbraier.

Centre James Bramwell is at the Dubai Sevens, so Tom Grimes moves inside with James Cooney returning on the wing.

Improving Tynedale visit Sheffield Tigers in National Two North, while in the division below Billingham entertain Kendal.

North One East leaders West Hartlepool have several key players back after their thrashing at Pocklington, but fly half Gavin Painter takes a week off with an arm injury.

His brother Ryan is among those returning and will be partnered at half back by Zac Southern, with Luke Mallinson at full back.

Dan Boatman and Aaron Myers return to the back row, Peter Youll at centre and Scott Butcher replaces unavailable winger Rob Thorn.

Durham City will look to consolidate in mid-table by completing a hat-trick of victories on their visit to struggling Guisborough.

As Barnard Castle attempt to consolidate their lead at the top of Durham and Northumberland One they can expect a tough test from Stockton.

The visitors have won five of their last six and will be hoping to avenge a 27-0 Durham Cup defeat at the Demesnes ground in August.

Stocktonwill be without teenage scrum half Matt Crowe so experienced Brian Thwaites returns. Prop Dan Muirhead is away so Tom Nelson reverts to the front row allowing flanker Liam Healey to return. Lock Jonny Cheetham is also available again.

Two teams battling to stay in touch with the leaders meet at South Shields, where Westoe face Middlesbrough.