STOCKTON and Middlesbrough hope to shake off the rust of a month’s inactivity in their annual Alan Todd Memorial match at Norton on Monday.

But the Lee brothers will not be able to oppose each other as Stockton coach Craig has suffered a recurrence of his knee problems after being obliged to play in seven games this season.

His elder brother Paul also came out of semi-retirement to make a couple of starts in Boro’s No 10 shirt before the big freeze.

Like his fellow Boro playercoach, Martin Howe, Paul began his career at Stockton, who are keen to stage the memorial game after it was frozen off last year.

It was first held in 2003, nine months after the death of Alan Todd, who was one of their greatest stalwarts despite living close to Acklam Park, where he was a social member.

If the game has to be postponed it is hoped to try again the following weekend.

A former chairman and president, Todd served as the club’s Durham County representative and became county president in 1998-99.

A thaw will be required for the annual Boxing Day derby between the top two Hartlepool clubs to go ahead, with snow still lying on a frozen Brinkburn pitch.

West are also due to play Rovers in a North One East match on January 8.

Darlington Mowden Park are hoping to take big strides in 2011, when it is confidently expected that work will begin on their new ground at West Park.

They also plan a concerted effort to gain promotion from National Three North next season, although chairman of rugby Mike Keeligan has not ruled it out for this season.

He expects to be spoilt for choice in several areas when the season resumes at Beverley on January 8.

The only player in a strong squad who is not fully fit is scrum half Martyn Lithgo, who has been out for a season and a half with a knee injury but could be ready to return in a month.

“We could field two sets of quality backs,” said Keeligan.

“We can choose between Todd Harrison and Ollie Peters at scrum half and we have three fly halves in Richie Young, Gavin Painter and Sam Errington.

“Sam might potentially be the best, but he’s still young and we don’t want to rush him.

“That also applies to young wingers like Shaun McCartney and Josh Woodhouse and the front row player, Chris Bark, who made his debut against Sandal. We have put them forward for the county under 20s and they’re all good lads.

“The object this season was to challenge and bring on youngsters, and we’re doing that.

“We said promotion would be a bonus, but we are doing a bit better than I expected and could still get into the promotion mix. The big push will come next year.”