NEWCASTLE Falcons will be up against several familiar faces when they entertain the Borders tomorrow.

Former Falcons Doddie Weir, Gary Armstrong and George Graham are all expected to start the friendly match, which kicks off at 2.30.

Newcastle's Director of Rugby, Rob Andrew, said: "There are two main reasons why we are particularly looking forward to the match. It will give the team a chance to see some old faces, therefore increasing the sense of competition, and more importantly we need the match practice.

"We have not played a match for a couple of weeks so we need this preparation to keep the players on their toes and ready for the trip to Gloucester."

The Falcons were due to visit the Premiership leaders tomorrow, but the game has been put back a week because Gloucester are contesting the Powergen Cup final against Northampton.

Tony Gilbert, head coach at the Borders, said: "This game provides an opportunity to have everybody back together after the break for the Six Nations, and it gives us something concrete to focus on - a game against a very good side before we play Glasgow and Edinburgh."

Darlington Mowden Park could have a problem at fly half for their rearranged home game against Liverpool St Helens.

Mark Bedworth, who has steadily grown into the role since the injuries to Kevan Oliphant and Jonny Golightly, suffered an elbow injury last week.

Former Middlesbrough player Andy Dean, who has deputised twice before, is ruled out by a trapped nerve in a shoulder.

One option would have been to switch Newcastle Academy player Nick Wainwright, whose two appearances for Mowden have been at centre, but he is again unavailable.

Further bad news on the injury front is that flanker Darren McKinnon has suffered complications in his recovery from a broken arm and is unlikely to play again before Christmas.

Blaydon's injuries, which now include skipper Dave Guthrie, have created another Durham Cup dilemma.

They had offered to play their semi-final at home to Westoe under lights last month, but Westoe declined and have suggested one of the next two Wednesdays.

But Blaydon's slide down National Three North means they are unwilling to jeopardise their chances of winning one of their three remaining league games to ensure they are not relegated.

They will therefore suggest Wednesday, April 23, which is only three days before the scheduled date for the final.

Guthrie had his head stitched for the second successive match last week and could opt out of tomorrow's home match against Halifax.

He wants to make certain he is fit to go to Scunthorpe for the final match, which appears to offer the best chance of a win.

Prop Dan Harper, the leading try scorer, is suspended after receiving three yellow cards, and Justin Clarke will deputise.

With Phil Ritson out for the rest of the season with a neck problem, former Gosforth player Alan Matheson will hook, with Charlie Roe switching to the back row for Guthrie.

As tomorrow was intended to be county cup semi-final day, Stockton are still looking for a fixture and have to wait two weeks before their cup tie away to Mowden or Darlington.

They had pencilled in a game against Billingham, but they decided to rest prior to trying to stave off relegation.

Stockton had three pairs of brothers in their pack in last week's game against Sheffield.

Regular back row forwards Alan and Wayne Brown were joined by two other Browns, Simon and Jamie, who are not related to them, while the Skirvings, Mark and Gary, also featured.