It's a blow for Tommy who has done a great job since being enticed out of semi-retirement by the smooth talking Stabler. The veteran was at Brinkburn at 10.30 last Saturday to test his studs on the hard surface and to start preparing for the game. Sadly, he hurt the top of his thigh in a tackle and may have torn a muscle.

Fortunately, Allan Milne has recovered from a minor fracturee to his lower leg and Michael Walton is back from Holland. He looked fit enough in the hour he was on the pitch though neither winger got any decent service. He'll be happier at full back.

Hopes that Mark Laycock may also have been available were scuppered by Falcons.

Stabler had a hard game on Saturday and has decided to hand the 10 shirt back to skipper Jamie Connolly with Milney and Kerr in the centres and Cuff and Lassey on the wings.

Tim Sawyer arrived late at Brinkburn onon Saturday only saw the poor second half performance. He'll make a big difference to a young back row alongside Dan Wright and Henry Tones.

The Durham Senior Cup has been debased this year thanks to the change of rules when it first started plus the debacle over the Westoe and Mowden semi which sees Mowden go straight through to Saturday's final [Hollow Drift Durham City 3.00 p.m.] But there will still be a lot at stake tonight.

Darlington have attracted a lot of players from other clubs in the region including one or two former Rovers! They will be keen to get one over on West while we will be playing for some pride and the chance to see the type of opposition we will be facing next season .

Alan Hedley from The Journal is threatening to turn up while Roy Kelly has waged £5 on West winning. Not saying who with except that he is a former Rovers player.

West : Walton, Lassey, Cuff, Milne, Kerr, Connolly [capt], Thomas, Geritz, Cullinane, Cook, Webb, Davies, Sawyer, Tones, Wright.

Reps: Stabler Robinson, Baggs, Rudd, Cholmondeley, Whitehead.