Newcastle v Worcester: Teams

Newcastle welcome back Carl Hayman as they host Worcester on Saturday in a crucial match at the bottom of the Guinness Premiership.

The Falcons find themselves stuck in 11th spot in the table just one point above bottom club Bristol, who drew 20-20 with the Warriors last time out.

Their cause in recent times has not been helped by injuries and illness, with several players ruled out of the last game, away at Leicester, due to a virus.

However, fly-half Rory Clegg and flanker Adam Balding are back from the flu and take their places in the starting XV.

Former New Zealand international Hayman is also available again but is only amongst the replacements, with David Wilson given the chance to continue at tighthead prop.

Fitness test

In-form winger Danny Williams has been included in the team but will have a late fitness test to determine if he can play.

Newcastle, who insist that Jonny Wilkinson's recovery remains on course despite a second operation on his knee, have not won at home in the league since the end of September.

"There are close games right throughout this league every weekend, and home matches are especially vital," said rugby director Steve Bates.

"It was a close game when we met Worcester at Sixways (in November). We made two mistakes which cost us the game, and those are very fresh in the memory.

"It will be a tight game this time round. We need to concentrate for the full 80 minutes and make sure our precision is at a much higher level than it was when we played down there.

"If we can do all of those things, then we know we are in with a decent shout."

Wounded Warriors

Worcester head to Kingston Park looking to make up for letting a lead slip last time out on home soil to struggling Bristol.

Director of rugby Mike Ruddock has made a single change in both the backs and the forwards to the team that started that game.

Scrum-half Ryan Powell has been promoted to the first XV while up front Chris Horsman comes in at prop, meaning Tevita Taumoepeau drops to the bench.

The Warriors have not won at Newcastle's home since April 2005, but have managed victories at both Sale and Wasps on the road this season.

Newcastle: 15 Tom May, 14 Danny Williams, 13 Jamie Noon, 12 Tane Tu'ipulotu, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Rory Clegg, 9 Micky Young; 1 Jon Golding, 2 Matt Thompson, 3 David Wilson, 4 Tim Swinson, 5 Mark Sorenson, 6 Adam Balding, 7 Brent Wilson, 8 Phil Dowson (capt)
Replacements: 16 Rob Vickers, 17 Carl Hayman, 18 Geoff Parling, 19 Peter Browne, 20 John Rudd, 21 James Grindal, 22 Steve Jones

Worcester: 15 Chris Latham, 14 Rico Gear, 13 Dale Rasmussen, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 11 Chris Pennell, 10 Eoghan Hickey, 9 Ryan Powell; 1 Matt Mullan, 2 Aleki Lutui, 3 Chris Horsman, 4 Greg Rawlinson, 5 Craig Gillies, 6 Netani Talei, 7 Pat Sanderson (capt), 8 Kai Horstmann
Replacements: 16 Chris Fortey, 17 Tevita Taumoepeau, 18 Will Bowley, 19 Matt Cox, 20 Matt Powell, 21 Joe Carlisle, 22 Hal Luscombe