Paul Arnold’s Preston Grasshoppers’ revolution’s already begun

Action from Hoppers' 29-14 defeat by Tynedale (photo: Mike Craig)

And he has already begun reshaping his squad, with relegation an ever-likely outcome to the campaign.

Senior backs Tom Davidson and Alex Hurst have been released and Chris Taylor and Sam Stott have been appointed co-captains. Hoppers legend Steve Kerry becomes interim backs coach in succession to Davidson.

For the visit to sixth-placed Stourbridge tomorrow, Hoppers are also without injured forward Sam Wallbank, with Ally Murray switching to No.8 and Euan Naylor getting a chance at lock.

Joe Prior starts at fly-half, Jake Squirrell returns at scrum-half, Tyler Spence is on the wing, and Taylor is back at hooker after injury.

Tyler Sloane and Conor Trueman return to the matchday 20, with places on the bench.

Stourbridge’s visit to Lightfoot Green at the end of October produced one of only four Hoppers’ victories so far in National League Two North – 20-17 thanks to a late penalty by Squirrell – and only one of those wins has come away from home.

That was at bottom club Scunthorpe, where Stourbridge themselves enjoyed a handsome 76-15 victory last Saturday.

Fylde’s surprise home defeat by Hinckley last weekend put the pressure back on them to hold off Sedgley Park’s challenge for second place. The gap is back to four points, with the Tigers still having a game in hand.

Tomorrow, Fylde head to Chester.

Vale of Lune seek to end a run of three successive home defeats in North One West when Stockport come to Powderhouse Lane tomorrow. Scott Manning, Billy Swarbrick and James Robinson are all unavailable for the hosts, but Michael Forrest returns and takes over at full-back. Alex Briggs switches to scrum-half with Alfie Bolton coming in at centre.

Steve Tagg starts in the second row and Blake Snell plays openside, with Jack Ayrton switching to No.8.

Hoppers: J Dorrington; Spence, Gregson, Stott, Browne; Prior, Squirrell; Mabaya, Taylor, Blanchard, Howard, Naylor, Carlson, B Dorrington, Murray. Replacements: Sloane, Trippier, Harrison, W Davidson, Trueman.

Vale: Forrest; Fern, Kyle, Bolton, Busby; Finan, Briggs; Bianchi, Dokter, Pillow, Tagg, Fellows, Powers, Snell, Ayrton. Replacements: Branford, Cvijanovic, Ford.