Sam is the latest casualty after injuring his shoulder playing for Durham Under 20's against Staffs last Sunday - a game in which he scored a hat trick.

Stu Waites is still recovering from the shoulder he damaged against Rovers on Boxing Day, and the extraordinarily unlucky Greg Edwards has his arm in a cast after his long awaited return to action ended no sooner than it had begun at Rochdale last week.

Greg's place will be taken by league debutant Callum Johnston who came his blooding against Rovers extremely well. Scott Butcher will return to the centre to accommodate Callum on the wing with Luke Mallinson continuing to deputise for Waites at full back.

Ross Wood keeps his place in the front row, after some committed performances, while Ian Pinchen has been doing his day job helping the NHS manage the winter deluge of patients.

Bennett hasn't played since breaking a bone in his hand at Driffield. The Stags don't have a game so he comes straight back into the side where he will start alongside Joe Rafferty.

Laim Bailey also return with Danny Boatman taking over Miller's No 8 shirt.

They'll face an Old Crocs side who are second bottom in the table but who are by no means a bad side. They've taken some notable scalps, including Rochdale, and have lost most of their games by fairly narrow margins.

Last week they were winning 9-0 at Dinnington only to fall behind in the second half eventually losing 27-21. That game came after a 20-6 home win over local rivals Bradford & Bingley and a single point defeat at Alnwick.

The six points they earned in those three games have closed the gap,  but they are still six points from safety and will be hoping to continue their improved form in 2015.

Crocs are a very hospitable club, and we look forward to showing them the progress on our new clubhouse after a number of committee men and supporters bought bricks after our win in Halifax last September. 

West: Luke Mallinson, Callum Johnston, Scott Butcher, Peter Youll, Kyle Jamieson, Zac Southern, Ryan Painter, Ross Wood, Adam Rollins, Ian Pinchen, Joe Rafferty, Owen Bennett, Liam Bailey, Chris Atkins, Dan Boatman. Reps: Matt Tyers, Michael Hogan, Adam Coates.

Old Crocs: Ben Greaves, Adam Sutcliffe, Jack Hammond (capt), Chris Seymour, James Wainwright, Gareth Ott, Chris Vine, Reuben Pollard, Richard Wheale, Andy Day, Raman Sembi, Navneet Sembi, George Hammond, Billy Hammond, Luke Gardiner. Reps:  James Cooper, Kevin McGill, Jon McCormack.