Yellow weather warnings are in place for both Brinkburn and Pennine Park, although the Stags may find things marginally better.

Regardless, the Firsts will be looking to get things back on track after winning only one of the first three games. Last time out a well-organised Sunderland side took the spoils at a soggy Brinkburn.

There were a few "regulars" missing that day and some will be back this week, notably Aidan Jaxkson-Smith who started the season with some man of the match awards,  and big Nick Bennions together with Charlie Kay, who has recovered from an early season injury.

Bennions will pack down alongside Elliott Reed, who had a fine game against Sunderland, with Jake Linighan still recovering from a minor foot operation. Charlie will be in the back row alongside Connor McLurg - back in the first team after some strong displays for the Stags.

In the backs hard-tackling Ollie Connolly switches to full-back with Kieran Scollay partnering Peter Youll in the centre. Max Tennant, last season's talismanic top-scorer will make his first appearance of the season, after also recovering from injury. Will Hilditch will be on the opposite flank.

Adam Hutchinson is also available again and will provide front row cover with Ben Reed and Alex Barker also on the bench.

The hosts have a similar playing record, having lost both their away games, but they did record an impressive 32-22 win over Morpeth in their first home game.

The Stags will be looking to build on their solid start to CaNDY One against Blaydon Georgians - always one of the more fancied sides in the league. Scott Butcher returns at No.8  with Matty Baggs at scrum half alongside Zac Southern.

There's a few Academy lads who have come of age in the last few weeks,  including scrum half Joe Cholmondeley the latest "Chummers," and Hayden Hodgson the latest "Hodgy, " to wear the senior shirt. They will be on the bench alongside Adam Coates,  who will no doubt be anxious to pass on his vast front-row  experience to young Hodgy.

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