WHARFEDALE’S injury problems continue to mount as they prepare for Saturday’s tough National League One home clash with Blaydon.

Nowhere are their resources more stretched than in the back row where they have six players out injured.

The latest casualties are Chris Howick, ankle, and Tom Burridge, shoulder, who were injured in the opening minutes of Saturday’s 31-7 defeat at Old Albanian.

With Rob Baldwin already out for the season with knee ligament damage, while Alastair Allen, James Tyson and Dan Solomi are all still recovering from injuries, the Wharfedale back row cupboard is pretty bare.

There were early fears that Howick would be sidelined for a while but he has been named in the side to face Blaydon with the selectors hoping he will be able to take his place.

Coach Jon Feeley has been forced to use props Adam Howard and Matt Beesley in the back row in recent games, but despite all the disruption to his side, he refuses to use the injuries as an excuse for a patchy start.

“We have to play the hand we’ve been dealt,” said Feeley. “Injuries are part of the game and how we cope with them will define how we do.”

Looking ahead to Saturday, Feeley added: “Blaydon are always a difficult team to play against. They have a big, physical pack with a number of established players.

“This is my third year at the club and I still haven’t seen us beat Blaydon so it would be nice to register a win against them this time.”

Centre Matt Van Sertima, who was forced to withdraw from the side that faced Old Albanian, returns. In view of their injury concerns, Wharfedale's selectors have six players standing by to fill the replacement positions.

Meanwhile, fourth-placed OTLEY welcome back a familiar face when Hull visit them in National Two North.

Johnny Matthews is on loan from Rotherham with the east Yorkshire club.

Tom Rock returns to the Otley first team, having played a number of games for the second string Saracens. Rock made 29 appearances for the Cross Greeners in 2011-12, scoring five tries.