JONNY Wilkinson will take his place in a fully home-grown Newcastle Falcons back division for Sunday's home match against Sale Sharks.

With Matt Burke and Epi Taione ruled out by the injuries they suffered at Leeds on Monday, and Mark Mayerhofler also still unfit, all seven backs are products of the club's academy.

"They are all English and all have a huge amount of talent, which says a lot for the club and our commitment to developing elite players," said Director of Rugby Rob Andrew.

"With all the injuries, it's quite staggering that we can still field such a good set of backs."

Michael Stephenson returns after injury on the left wing and is joined by fellow Durham School product Hall Charlton at scrum half, with Jamie Noon and Mathew Tait at centre, Tom May on the right wing and Dave Walder at full back.

After three appearances from the bench, Wilkinson will make his first start at fly half since a bicep injury ruled him out for two months.

Andrew said: "Jonny is absolutely chomping at the bit. We have all seen that in the last few weeks.

"I have not seen him look as physically good as he is now and Steve Black has done fantastic work with him.

"It's Sod's Law that as soon as we get Jonny back Matt Burke is injured, but Dave Walder has shown what a good full back he is and we just have to get on with it."

Burke has had a scan and is seeing a specialist today. It is believed that his knee injury will keep him out for no more than two weeks, while there is a chance that Mayerhofler will return in next week's tough Heineken Cup match at Perpignan.

With four wins out of four in the European event, Newcastle need one more win against either the French club or at home to Newport Dragons the following week to be sure of qualifying for the quarter-finals.

There will be two more academy products on the bench on Sunday in England Sevens winger Ollie Phillips and hooker Stuart Mackie, who provides cover in the absence of Matt Thompson with a viral infection.

All the seats have been booked and with 1,000 standing tickets left it is hoped that Kingston Park's 10,000 capacity will be reached for the first time this season.