SALE Sharks prop Kevin Yates has been cited for striking Northampton forward Andrew Blowers during last week's Zurich Premiership clash between the clubs.

Yates, capped twice by England in 1997, must appear before a Rugby Football Union disciplinary panel in Bristol next Tuesday.

Former All Blacks star Blowers required lengthy treatment following the alleged incident, which happened during second-half injury-time and was not spotted by match referee Chris White or any of his officials.

Blowers spent last Friday night in hospital, amid initial fears that he had suffered a fractured cheekbone.

Although no break was discovered, concussion has been confirmed, and he will miss Saints' trip to Bath tomorrow.

Yates, who went on as a 50th-minute substitute against Northampton, was reported by the independent citing officer, and if found guilty can expect a minimum three-week ban.

• MACCLESFIELD set out on the glory trail tomorrow when they take on Preston Grasshoppers in the second round of the Powergen Cup at Priory Park.
  
  Having won promotion to the National Leagues for the first time in the club's history, Macclesfield got their new campaign off to a winning start last week and are bidding to reach the third round of the knock-out cup for only the second time.
  
  Stalwart Billy Roberts, whose goal-kicking played a key part in the club's success a number of years ago, acts as commmercial manager at a club that has recently staged schoolboy internationals and had been earmarked to stage World Cup games had England won the bid to stage the event in 2007.
  
  "We are in the same division as Preston and the cup clash will give us a good chance to take a look at them," he said.
  
  "They are a good side but we have started our season well and fly-half Gary Bell has been in outstanding form with the boot."
  
  The fixture will bring Alex Keay back to the area.
  
  The former Manchester coach is in charge of Grasshoppers and is being helped by Paul Manley, who plied his trade at Orrell, Wakefield and Manchester before linking up again with Keay at Preston.
  
  
• Ironically, his old club MANCHESTER face the journey tomorrow to Henley where he quit as player coach after the team had performed badly there a couple of years ago.
  
  Manchester have been forced into one change for this National One clash against a club where England manager Clive Woodward cut his coaching teeth.
  
  Prop Andy Fuller broke his hand playing against London Welsh last week so his place is taken by Nick Flynn.
  
  After last week's disappointingly heavy defeat at Worcester in a battle billed as being between the two leading promotion contenders, Orrell are keen to get back on track when Plymouth Albion visit Edge Hall Road.
  
  There are unlikely to be many changes from last week even though Scott Barrow, who missed the Worcester trip, has a fitness test before kick off but there is a doubt over the fitness of back row Nick Easter and he also faces a test to see whether or not he starts the game.
  
  
• SEDGLEY PARK, like Macclesfield, are also involved in Powergen Cup action but take a different policy to the Cheshire outfit.
  
  Park coach Tim Fourie has his eye firmly on the promotion challenge so he will give reserves, second teamers and youngsters a chance to show what they can do at Rugby Lions.
  
  "This is a big opportunity for these boys because they played very well in a pre-season game against a more senior Wakefield," he said.
  
  "But we are not going to win the cup and all our energies will be devoted to the league.
  
  "In the last two seasons there have always been strong professional sides bidding for promotion.
  
  "Two years ago it was Orrell and Plymouth. Last season it was Penzance and Henley but this time the competition is wide open and we may never have a better chance."

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