Swinson says the Falcons will come through the current injury problems

Newcastle's stand-in captain Tim Swinson believes the Falcons can cope with their growing injury problems.

The second row is battling a shoulder injury picked up in the LV= Cup defeat by Harlequins on Sunday.

But Swinson is the only recognised lock available as James Hudson and Glen Towson are injured while Filipo Levi is on international duty with Samoa.

"It's an interesting problem but at this point in the season that's a general thing for all clubs," he said.

"If you look at Leeds, they've got a problem with their hookers - they've got their fitness coach [James Parkes] starting at hooker at the moment."

But Swinson added that there is no danger of the Falcons struggling to field a fit starting XV for their return to Premiership action against Gloucester on Sunday.

"We saw against Harlequins that [scrum-half] Hall Charlton stepped in at flanker, so we've got lots of different people to play in different positions so it's OK."

Falcons head coach Alan Tait will be hoping that his second row problems will be alleviated with the arrival of new signing lock Andrew Van der Heijde next month.

Another boost for the team will be the return of club captain Hudson.

The former Bath and London Irish player has missed the last eight games with a hamstring injury but is close to returning to action and could have some involvement in Sunday's clash.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version