FULL-BACK and goal-kicker Kev Brundrett is due to make a return to York Acorn for their National Conference division two match at mid-table Normanton Knights.

Star man Jonny Waldron also looks set to play after shaking off a nasty head injury sustained after a clash with centre partner Mike Embleton.

The BARLA Under-21 player ended up in hospital with concussion but trained on Tuesday night and should be good to retake his starting place.

Coach David Kay said: "We are going to Normanton without taking anything for granted. It's a game we would like to win - especially on the back of last week - and they are a decent side. They have got a stand-off or scrum-half who seems to be making all the points so we will be marking him."

Struggling Heworth are anticipating three key returns for their match against top-of-the-table Eastmoor but are still expecting a tough ride.

Scrum-half Paddy Handley is due to make his comeback after an injury at Millom ruled him out last weekend, stand-off Nicky Dobson returns from a work-enforced absence and Nikki Wilson will also be back at centre.

But loose forward Sam Clarke and prop Will Neary will undergo fitness tests. Neary injured his shoulder last Saturday while Clarke has been struggling for a while with a leg problem.

Spokesman Ken Sykes said: "Eastmoor are definitely the form team. They started off the first couple of games in a bit of disarray and lost the first two but since then they have been unbeaten."

New Earswick All Blacks will be hoping it's a case of third time lucky when they entertain Pennine League division two title rivals Kippax.

The West Yorkshire outfit are the division's only unbeaten team and the only side to inflict defeat on All Blacks this season.

They have also beaten New Earswick in the final minute of their last two meetings.

Carl Pallister is back from holiday and Andy Fletcher returns after work commitments but Jamie Rhodes is definitely out with a back problem and David Carling will have a late fitness test on his groin.

All Blacks spokesman Charles Rollinson recognises the importance of Saturday's clash and said: "It's a big game and will probably be the biggest game of the season. They are unbeaten in the league so far, and it could even prove to be the title-decider."

The other big game of the day is the Pennine League Division Five derby between Selby Warriors and York Groves with Groves gunning to avenge an opening day defeat to the second-placed side.

Groves coach Simon Moat is hopeful half back Dean Kilbride will have recovered from a shoulder injury with full-back Paul Marshall and loose forward Paul Fairclough both ready to return.

York Acorn 'A' will be looking to keep their high-flying start to the division four season going with a win at lowly Birkenshaw 'A', while Heworth 'A' travel to Lock Lane in the CMS Yorkshire League division three.

Updated: 10:30 Thursday, November 18, 2004