WHARFEDALE will be without their most potent weapon, skipper Andy Hodgson, for up to eight weeks after the full-back dislocated his collar-bone in a tackle against New Brighton in last weekend's Powergen Cup tie, (writes Tony Simpson).

News that the damage is a dislocation rather than a complicated fracture will be some consolation to the Dalesmen, but the prospect of lacking their most accomplished attacking player for a couple of months is not a happy one.

Hodgson has been in dynamic form this season, but as happened in the past, when he scales the heights, he also tends to fall heavily in terms of injury setbacks.

Also taking a break this weekend because of injury is No 8 Sam Allen, who damaged his shoulder recently and is likely to be missing for a couple of weeks to remedy the problem.

For tomorrow's league game against Bracknell at The Avenue, Jonathan Davies reverts to his favoured role, with David Whitfield moving from scrum-half to centre to partner Chris Malherbe.

One of the few plusses to emerge from last weekend's cup defeat by New Brighton was the performance on his first-team debut of new scrum-half Sam Cotterell, who takes over the No 9 shirt.

"He did all that we could have expected of him and looks a very useful acquisition," said coach Peter Hartley. "He has a very sharp service, kicks well and showed himself to be very feisty against his former team-mates. He is also very talkative, which is so important for the job."

Up front, Antony Capstick is fit to resume normal service at lock after coming on as replacement last weekend, while the absence of Allen brings Paul Evans into the No 8 berth. He will also assume the captaincy having had the most sensible observations to pass on last weekend after a bitterly disappointing defeat.

That setback, which has cost the club thousands given that the prize for a win was a home tie against Otley, should ensure that the Greens are well fired up tomorrow. They may need to be.

Bracknell, like Henley, were relegated last season, but enjoyed the parachute payment which enables them to cope financially when they take the drop. They are currently third in the National Division Two table with four wins from five games and will travel to The Avenue with plenty of confidence.

The challenge now for Evans and his team is to shake off the disappointments of the last couple of weeks and produce something like the side's best form.

Wharfedale: J Davies; G Johnston, D Whitfield, C Malherbe, C Ecclestone; A Baggett, S Cotterell; P Peel, G Hindle, C Ingram, D Lister, A Capstick, H Verity, S Hargreaves, P Evans. Replacements: N Dickinson, J Ogden, P Hargreaves, S Slater.