Andrew hoping for spot of home comfort.

Rob Andrew is backing his Falcons side to end Bath's unbeaten Premiership run at Kingston Park tomorrow.

The Newcastle manager will be without his skipper Mark Andrews, who is suspended for four weeks, and prop Marius Hurter who has an ankle problem.

Craig Hamilton has been handed the job of standing in for Andrews alongside Garath Archer and Micky Ward is drafted into the front row while Andrew brings back Dave Walder at full back.

"Obviously any injury or suspension is a blow to the club, but we're not too concerned," said Andrew.

"We have a good squad of players and it's business as usual. Dave Walder would have played anyway and we've moved Ben Gollings back to the bench for tactical reasons.

"It's nice to be back at home. It's always difficult playing away from home two weeks in a row, and we're hopeful we can pick up where we left off against Gloucester at the beginning of the month.

"The last two weeks away against Harlequins and Northampton were tough matches but neither was unbeatable. We played well and we could have won either, if not both matches.

"Bath have started well and they've recruited well, with a big pack of forwards, but they have a limited side and play a limited game.

"We are definitely capable of beating them and the players are certainly looking forward to this match, particularly as it's live on TV."

Bath also have their problems, with Durham's Lee Best sidelined with a knee injury. Alex Crockett, who came on for Best, keeps his place on the wing tomorrow (2.45).

To accommodate Crockett, Andrew Higgins moves from centre to wing and Crockett said: "We recognise Newcastle as the most dangerous back line we have come up against so far this season," he said.

"We've set the standard so far and for teams playing against us it will be their cup final. Teams will be trying to knock us off the top but we are up there and we want to stay there as long as we can."

NEWCASTLE: D Walder, T May, J Noon, M Mayerhofler, M Stephenson, P Godman, H Charlton, I Peel, N Makin, M Ward, G Archer, C Hamilton, J Dunbar, W Britz, H Vyvyan. Subs: D Wilson, J Grindal, M Thompson, P Dowson, E Taione, M Wilkinson, B Gollings.

BATH: M Perry, A Higgins, A Crockett, O Barkley, B Daniel, C Malone, M Wood, D Flatman, J Humphreys (capt), D Bell, S Borthwick, R Fidler, A Beattie, M Lipman, Z Feaunati. Subs: R Blake, L Mears, M Stevens, R Kydd, G Knox, J Scaysbrook, S Gray.

NSOA OTUVAKA, forced to quit playing because of a brain tumour, will become the latest recipient of a donation from the Professional Rugby Players Association Benevolent Fund.

Otuvaka, who came to England with the Falcons' Tongan international Epi Taione, played for Tynedale with Taione before signing for Newcastle.

The 25-year-old forward was playing for Darlington Mowden Park in last season's Durham Cup Final against Westoe when he had a seizure, and while in hospital it was discovered he had a brain tumour.

Otuvaka will be presented with a cheque from the PRA at half-time at Kingston Park tomorrow.

England cap Hugh Vyvyan, who is the Falcons PRA representative, said: "Soa was a very popular member of the squad and is a great family man.

"It is very encouraging to hear that Soa's condition is not life-threatening.

"We hope this donation from the PRA Benevolent Fund will go some way to aiding his recovery."