BLAYDON will have the dual-registered Newcastle Falcons player Tom Catterick at fly-half for today's National One trip to Birmingham-Solihull.

The Darlington-born Barnard Castle School product replaces Andrew Baggett, who is rested, along with No 8 Jason Smithson.

Catterick has appeared at full back for the Falcons but prefers fly half, where he has to compete with Joel Hodgson as well as Jimmy Gopperth.

Blaydon have had to make two other changes following last week's 33-17 win over previously-unbeaten Fylde as centre Fred Burdon has a dead leg and flanker Ben Morris is ill.

Tom Nuttley comes in for Morris, while Gavin Jones replaces Smithson and Matt Clarke reverts to centre for Burdon, with David Sheldon returning on the wing.

Blaydon were offered the use of four Falcons players this season, but prop James Hall and lock Glen Townson have been required for senior duty at Kingston Park and centre James Fitzpatrick has a hernia problem.

The absence of Hall has meant a shortage of cover for player-coach Micky Ward and Robbie Kalbraier, but Ward has taken every opportunity to give ex-colt Andrew Foster 20 minutes off the bench, while Dave Williams is also back in training.

In Baggett's absence Catterick is likely to take over the goal-kicking duties, with full back Gavin Painter providing back-up.

Blaydon jumped three places above Tynedale when the Corbridge club suffered their second successive home defeat last week and they are likely to have a tough time at Macclesfield.

They will be without prop Johnny Williams, who was stretchered off after ten minutes against Rosslyn Park following a nasty blow on the head.

Westoe, at home to Stockport in National Two North, are again without Mark Bedworth and make one change with James Walker replacing Graeme Haswell.

Brothers Grant and Max Connon, previously with Carlisle, will start together for the first time for Mowden Park in their National Three North game at Burnage.

After leapfrogging Birkenhead Park to go second last week, Mowden will expect a fifth successive win on the artificial pitch on the banks of the Mersey, near Stockport.

After joining his brother on the scoresheet when going on as a replacement last week, Max Connon starts at full back as Paul Shepherd has pulled a hamstring.

Lock Andy Wilson is rested, allowing Newcastle Academy's Chris Campbell to return, while prop Danny Dixon, back from holiday, has to settle for a place on the bench.

Several Northumbria University players who joined Mowden are getting back into action in the second team. But dangerous winger Adam Mackenzie, who had re-signed for the club, has moved to London.

The Foreman brothers, Andy and Gareth, return for West Hartlepool at home to Lymm, along with lock Tom Dixon and prop Anth Carr, who replaces the injured Jon Norris.

Former skipper Jonny Boatman makes his comeback in the second team at Tynedale after recovering from his broken leg.

Middlesbrough have serious problems for their trip to Old Crossleyans in North One East with their three first-choice midfield backs all missing, along with skipper Richie Barker, who has had a knee operation.

Iain Bradford moves up to lock and the lack of back row cover following the departures of Rory Duff and Carl Kirwan sees Martin Featherstone named at open side.

This suggests that Martin Howe's playing days are over, but his fellow coach Paul Lee again starts at fly half, with Jamie Muncer and Adrian Rose at centre and Josh Evans on the wing.

Leaders Billingham are also trying a back at open side with Paul Shepherd selected there for the visit of Cleckheaton. Dave Robinson is still troubled by an ankle injury and his recent replacement, Phil Reay, drops to the bench.

Richard Snowball makes his first appearance of the season for Darlington, who need to win at home to unbeaten Alnwick, the Durham and Northumberland One leaders.

He will play in the back row with skipper Steve Taylor expected to return after injury at lock. Aaron McNiely will be on the wing with David Mackfall switching to replace unavailable centre Andy Pugh.

Second-placed Stockton visit Ashington with Simon Brown back at prop and Phil Austen at lock. Ritchie Brown reclaims the centre slot so Craig Slaughter moves to the wing.