Fylde hook Shark Jeffers

Jeffers, who can play full-back or wing, has been named on the replacements’ bench for the National League One clash at home to Blaydon.

Jeffers signed professional terms with Sale in June 2013, four years after joining the academy set-up.

He captained Cheshire at under-16 level before playing for England in the same age group.

Jeffers subsequently played for England under-18s.

With regular scrum-half Greg Nicholls unavailable tomorrow, Jordan Dorrington moves to the number nine berth,

This is expected to be the last time this season that Nicholls is unavailable.

Arnold said he was going the way of giving a chance to young talent rather than bringing in players on loan to fill any gaps.

Fylde were offered the services of a Championship scrum-half but turned the player down.

As well as Arnold, prop forward Tom Lavelle is sidelined after suffering concuession in the narrow loss at Esher last Saturday.

Arnold said: “It is unfortunate for Tom as he was having a good game at the time.”

The game to Esher was the sixth this season that Fylde have lost by three points or fewer.

In addition, Fylde were in a winning position in the dying stages of the match at Blackheath, only for the home side to come back and claim a draw.

Arnold said: “It was another good performance last Saturday against the best Esher side I have seen in a long time.

“We did not have the best preparation because we were delayed in getting down there, only arriving at 2.15pm, which wasn’t ideal and then having a delay getting back.

“We were the better side in a lot of the matches that we only just lost, and it is a question of fine margins.

“People have been saying our luck will eventually change but it’s taking a long time for that to happen!”

Of his first full season as head coach, Arnold added: “I still believe it has been a good first season for us.

“I have made a few mistakes myself but at the same time I know that I have done a lot of things right. All I know is that the club is in good stead for the future.”

Tom Morton, signed on a duel registration from Sale Sharks, starts at full-back against Blaydon, with Dorrington moving further forward, while Warren Spragg is on the bench.

Sam Beaumont, unavailable for Esher, returns as a forward replacement.

Alex Loney has returned to Fylde after playing on loan as a one-off for his old club Sedgley Park.

But the hooker, who also doubles as a forwards coach at the Woodlands, will not be in action tomorrow.

Arnold said: “Phil Mills and Tom Burtonwood are ahead of him. It will be frustrating for Alex having to kicking his heels. He will have to be content with watching the match from the sidelines with me!”

Blaydon are third- bottom but will have derived much satisfaction from beating Hull Ionians in convincing fashion last Saturday.

And Arnold believes Blaydon to push his side tomorrow. He said: “They had a great win on Saturday and I expect it will be a war of attrition in the forwards.

“We are focusing on a strong finish to the season and a home win on Saturday.”

Fylde (probable): Morton; Brennand, Briers, Dowds, Spragg; Johnson, Dorrington; Birchall, Mills, Lewis, Gray, G Rawlings, Vernon, Stewart, Fairbrother; Replacements: Griffiths, Burtonwood, Beaumont, S Rawlings, Jeffers. Kick-off 3pm.