Collins will don the number six jumper in the absence if captain-coach Kurt Lewis, who will be in Coffs Harbour on North Coast duty.

"I found out at training this week that Mitch played all his junior football in the halves, so he'll be right,'' Lewis said.

"He'll keep them on their toes.''

The unbeaten Tigers will also be without centre Tim Bridge, who will also be in Coffs Harbour. However, utility forward Michael Rees returns to the bench while Lewis has promoted experienced Adam Kerr to replace Collins at nine.

"Counting Tim and me we'll have six first graders out this week,'' Lewis said.

There was speculation that utility back Tom Dooker could return this weekend. However, Lewis said Dooker is more likely to be ready for next week's clash against Port Macquarie at Wingham.

Lewis emphasised that the Tigers have to keep focused on tomorrow's game and not the following week.

"We have to take it game by game,'' he said using perfect coach-speak.

He is confident that Wingham will have the roster to handle the Blues tomorrow, pointing out that Wauchope will also be without two representative players, Beau Kettle and Matt Bird.

"We beat them three weeks ago, so there's not reason why we can't again,'' he said, referring to Wingham's 34-30 victory over Wauchope a game they led 34-12 at one stage.

Lewis said he's enjoying his first season as captain-coach, understandably given Wingham's unbeaten start to the year.

"This is a learning curve,'' he said.

"But apart from the injuries there haven't been too many hiccups.''

OLD Bar could have five members of last week's starting 13 sidelined for Sunday's Group Three Rugby League clash against Macleay Valley at Kempsey.

"We've been decimated,'' coach Col Lucas lamented.

Five-eighth Corey Wheeler will sit out the first of a two game suspension. Wheeler took an early plea after being dismissed early in the second half of last weekend's clash against Port Macquarie.

Tom Alchin (ankle), Jaiden Lewis (neck), Josh Starr (work commitments) and Rumone Jackson (work commitments) are all in doubt with Alchin and Lewis having little chance.

"Jaiden said last week that he'd be right, but we're not going to risk him with a neck injury,'' Lucas said.

"Tom's still limping and I can't see him coming good by Sunday.''

The Pirates haven't won a game this year and sit in last place.

However, they do boast the second best defensive record in the competition behind Port Macquarie.

"They can all tackle they do plenty of it,'' Lucas joked, noting that much of Old Bar's problems from this year stem from poor ball control.

"Actually the completions last week were the best we've been all year,'' Lucas said.

Lucas will speak with reserve grade coach Shane Glass before determining his side.

"I really don't know what we'll have, but we'll put 13 players on the field the same as them,'' he said.

Lucas said the Pirates are 'beyond desperate' for a win.

However, he noted that the competition is still fairly bunched.

"You get two wins in a row and you're right back into it,'' he said.

TAREE City coach Gary Bridge admits he'll be 'very disappointed' if his side doesn't come away with a win from tomorrow's Group Three Rugby League clash against Port Macquarie at Port.

Five Sharks will rush back from the North Coast/Northern Rivers game played earlier that day to make themselves available for the Sharks. This match will kick off at 12.30 with the Group Three game put back to 3.30.

The Bulls will have one player involved in the representative encounter lock Matt Everitt.

Bridge said that even if the Shark pack makes it through the North Coast game unscathed they'll still have to make the trip home before backing up for the game.

"It's a pretty big ask,'' he said.

Bridge said the Bulls have to make a statement.

"If we're going to be competitive in the end-of-the-year games we should be able to beat Port when they're understrength,'' he said.

Bridge said he will assess Everitt's fitness when he arrives at the ground, but at this stage he'd prefer not to play him.

"We have to learn to play without Matt, even though he is our best this year,'' he reasoned.

Josh Northam returns from a knee injury and will slot straight into the pack for Everitt.

Fullback Aden Avery is also expected to be available. This will allow Bridge to switch Dean Mills to the centres.

He's keen to give Jesse Clarke a run in the backrow.

"He plays like a backrower and he wants to have a run there, so this will be his chance,'' Bridge said.