Blaydon visit Cambridge, who are one point below them in National Two, and there is relief all round that winger Cameron Johnston is expected to recover from last Saturday's injury.
The Scot suffered a fractured vertebra when he was spear tackled in the home match against Redruth, but his spinal cord was not affected.
There are currently no plans to operate as Johnston is to be fitted with a special cast and will undergo a spell of intensive physiotherapy.
His place goes to Ben Mercer, a student who had not played club rugby until his arrival in Newcastle, while Mark Darlington comes in for injured hooker Matt Hall.
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