AFTER playing without any recognised second row forwards in their last match, Darlington Mowden Park have persuaded Naude Pretorius to return from playing in Wales, writes TIM WELLOCK.

The 6ft 7in, 19st South African, who was with Mowden last season, goes straight into the team to entertain Macclesfield in today's mid-table battle in National Three North.

He is joined by Anthony Peck, back after injury, while it is hoped that Iain Robinson will have recovered from his ankle injury by next month and Luke Monument could be back in two weeks.

Eni Gisende, who made a big difference in the win against Leicester Lions two weeks ago, has been injured in training with Newcastle Falcons, so Matt Holmes switches to blind side with Gavin Stainsby at No 8.

Junior Fagalilo moves to hooker, with Mark Darlington dropping to the bench after playing twice for Northumbria University this week. He will be joined among the replacements by Danny Brown, whose return is welcome as Peni Fakalelu is in the Tongan squad to play Italy A.

Tabua Cakacaka, signed from Gateshead Thunder, will be the backs replacement with options very limited. Michael Breen is to see a second specialist about his knee injury, while Jonny Golightly and James Tyrrell have both been out of the country on business.

Matt Howland could be fit in two weeks, but Mowden are unsure what to do about French centre Roddy Gouionnet. He suffered a fractured skull three weeks ago, and while medical opinion is that he should soon be OK Mowden are unwilling to take any risks.

Darlington hope the return of full back David Glendenning for his first appearance of the season will have a similar impact to last year, when he greatly improved them as an attacking force.

He replaces Lee Davies for the trip to second-placed Preston Grasshoppers, while the search for more pace also sees former Yarm Schoolboy Richard Lightwing come in for his first start at outside centre.

He will have Phil Dawson inside him, while the pack is unchanged with Matt Dilworth coming on to the bench as he provides cover for all three rows of the scrum.

Blaydon rest several players for the visit of bottom club Kendal, but skipper Dave Guthrie makes his first start for two months at lock. He will have Dave Marwick alongside him as Paul Clark and Dave Whitehead stand down.

Paul Brady returns at open side in place of Andy Wright, while Ed Thorpe is expected to be fit to play at No 8, despite suffering a recurrence of his knee problem last week.

The experienced Micky Dungait, a late call-up at scrum half for last week's cup win against Waterloo, retains his place.

Middlesbrough visit Westoe in North One with the Richardson brothers, Dave and Lee, teaming up at centre as Simon Moore returns at fly half.

Andy Micklewright switches to the wing and with full back Neil Baggett also returning it looks a strong back division.

Boro know they need to match their hosts in the tight five and have no worries about the front row with hooker Richard Horton back, along with prop Craig Chapman.

But lock Chris Palesci and No 8 Richie Barker are unavailable, while flanker Ben Pattison is out for at least a month with a knee injury. Skipper Iain Bradford switches to lock, with Dean Gardner coming in at No 8 alongside Mark Kerruish and Gavin Fingland.

Durham City, second in North Two East, face a test of their promotion credentials at Driffield. They welcome back scrum half Ben Stevenson, loose head prop Mark Davison and blind side flanker Howard Johnson. Stuart Smithson switches to lock with Chris Wearmouth dropping to the bench.

Stockton visit leaders Penrith, with whom they enjoyed cordial relations prior to the advent of league rugby. Owain Jenkins stays at full back as Andy Bare and Dan Cowell are injured, and with Tom Jeffery unavailable Tom Armstrong moves to the wing with Paul Underwood coming in at centre.

West Hartlepool entertain third-placed Morpeth and have decided there is no need for internal discipline following the harsh dismissal of Dave Tighe last week.

Prop Mark Cholmondeley returns as Anth Carr is unavailable and Paul Rudd is back at lock.