Bates backs fired-up Rob.

Byline: NICK PUREWAL

STEVE Bates has backed Rob Vickerman to play his way into regular Newcastle Falcons starting contention.

Former Leeds centre Vickerman is expected to start in a quickfire return to his old club on Sunday, as the Falcons open their Guinness Premiership charge at Headingley (kick-off 3pm).

With Tane Tu'ipulotu struggling with arm trouble, Falcons rugby director Bates will throw new man Vickerman into the fray - and he has no worries whatsoever with that.

When Bates brought Leeds pair Tom Biggs and Vickerman to Kingston Park in the summer, he told the Chronicle Vickerman would surprise some this season.

But the England Sevens international may just have surprised Bates too with the strength of his showing against Edinburgh on Friday night.

Excited in the summer by Vickerman's future potential, Bates is now equally enthused by what he can offer in the present, never mind the future.

Tu'ipulotu and Springbok centre Gcobani Bobo were doubtless teamed as the frontline centre pairing for the Falcons season, but with injury striking so soon, Bates reckons Vickerman can muscle in on their territory.

He said: "Rob Vickerman actually did a very good job on Friday when he came on, and of course Leeds is his old club so he'll be very fired-up for that and will want to do very well.

"So we're very lucky in that we've got three guys who may well be very interchangeable there.

"It's sad that Tane probably won't play, but I think Rob may very well have put his hand up for selection in any case.

"Tane's a great player and we were looking forward to him playing this year after his impact last season, but I don't think it's a serious injury - it's probably just not healing quickly enough to turn that around.

"Hopefully he'll be back very shortly and we'll look forward to his contribution."

Two seasons back Bates presided over a Falcons defeat at Leeds, where Lee Blackett registered the Premiership's fastest-ever try.

That rainy Friday night made the Falcons run-in a nervy affair, but despite that result Leeds still suffered relegation.

So much has changed since then though, that Bates admits he has not even discussed that night with his squad.

Bates said: "We haven't spoken about that game at all to be honest, it has not featured whatsoever.

"Not only was it two seasons ago now, but more importantly it happened when we had a totally different set of players and were trying very different things.

"So it really has no relevance or bearing on what will happen this weekend.

"What is much more important to take into the game is that Leeds will be fighting for absolutely everything on the field on the day.

"They desperately want to prove that they have what it takes to be a fixture in the Premiership, and that starts for them on Sunday.

"They have a lot of talented players and have had a lot of time to gel together and grow in confidence in the first division.

"Relegation almost became a benefit for Harlequins the way they dealt with it a few seasons back, and Northampton came back strongly into the Premiership too.

"So there is precedent for teams using time in Division One to their advantage.

"It's our job to take all of that into account and be fully aware of exactly what we are entering into on Sunday."

CAPTION(S):

STARTER: Rob Vickerman and below, Steve Bates