Wilko set for cup return
Rob Andrew has confirmed that Jonny Wilkinson will feature against Sale.
Newcastle v Sale
Powergen Cup, Kingston Park, Sunday October 2, KO 2.30pm
Jonny Wilkinson will definitely play some part in Newcastle's Powergen Cup tie against Sale on Sunday.
Wilkinson has been ruled out for the past four weeks after an appendix operation, but he has been included among the replacements for the Kingston Park encounter.
Ironically, Newcastle's opponents Sale were the last team that England's number 10 featured against, missing a penalty in the last minute to hand the Sharks victory.
Wilkinson will be keen to erase that memory, and it is likely that he will replace Toby Flood at some point in the match, after the youngster was chosen to deputise for the rested Dave Walder.
Andrew confirmed that his prized asset is ready for a return, and promised that the Kingston Park faithful will see their hero at some stage.
"At the time he went in for the operation we thought it would be four weeks out, and by Sunday it will be just under that four week mark," said the Falcons boss.
"It was a keyhole operation, and he's a very fast healer as well as being incredibly fit, so he's trained with us all week and there's no question he's ready.
"I'm not making any promises about how long he will play, but he will get on at some stage.
"He just needs a clear run of three or so months playing something near 80 minutes a week before people can start making judgements on him, and I think after the injuries he's had then he's due a good run of health."
Falcons coach Andrew has made few other changes as he goes in search of the consistency that he craves from his side, after three defeats and a solitary victory from their opening four matches.
Other changes to the starting XV all come in the front row, with David Wilson, Tino Paoletti and Matt Thompson coming in for Micky Ward, Robbie Morris and Andy Long.
Fresh faces also appear on the bench where Andrew hands opportunites to academy youngsters Lee Dickson and Andy Buist.
Sale coach Philippe Saint Andre makes several changes from the side that beat Saracens last Sunday, with Steve Hanley and John Carter making their long awaited comebacks after being injured at Wasps at the end of last season.
Nick Wakley makes his senior debut after joining the club from Doncaster, as does Nathan Bonner Evans who joined the Sharks from the Ospreys. Sililo Martens and Ben Coutts also make their first appearances of the season.
Newcastle team: 15-Matthew Burke, 14-Anthony Elliott, 13-Jamie Noon, 12-Mark Mayerhofler, 11-Mathew Tait, 10-Toby Flood, 9-Hall Charlton, 1-David Wilson, 2-Matt Thompson, 3-Tino Paoletti, 4-Andy Perry, 5-Geoff Parling, 6-Owen Finegan, 7-Cory Harris, 8-Colin Charvis
Replacements: Micky Ward, Andy Long, Robbie Morris, Luke Gross, Ben Woods, Lee Dickson, Jonny Wilkinson.
Sale team: 15-Steve Hanley, 14-Nick Wakley, 13-Elvis Sevalai'I, 12-Robert Todd, 11-Oriol Ripol, 10-Daniel Larrachea, 9-Sililo Martens, 1-Lionel Faure, 2-Andy Titterrell, 3-Ben Coutts, 4-Christian Day, 5-Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, 6-Peter Anglesea (Captain), 7-John Carter, 8-Nathan Bonner Evans.
Replacements: Stuart Turner, Barry Stewart, Dean Schofield, Magnus Lund, Ben Foden, Valentin Courrent, Jason Duffy.
