Sammy Arnold returns for Newcastle Falcons on Saturday when they make the Gallagher Premiership trip to Saracens.

The centre comes in as one of three changes from the side which started at Bath last time out, with the Falcons out to record a home-and-away double after beating the Londoners at Kingston Park in late November.

Murray McCallum comes in at tight-head prop as Richard Palframan sits out for the remainder of the season with a hamstring injury – the only other change being the return of former Saracens full-back Elliott Obatoyinbo from a head knock.

Flanker Tom Gordon is poised to make a welcome return from the bench after four months out due to shoulder and ankle injuries, while prop Luan de Bruin and scrum-half Joe Davis are also back fit.

Director of rugby Steve Diamond said: “We had a good home win over Saracens, but we know they’ll be a different proposition down there.

“We caught them off-guard at Kingston Park and played probably our best game of the season, but they’ll know what’s coming this time and we’re expecting a massive test at their place.”

Boosted by a handful of returning players, he added: “Sammy Arnold comes back in the centres and will hopefully get us on the front foot, partnering Connor Doherty who has scored three tries in his last two games.

“It’s great to see Tom Gordon back on the bench as well because he’s had a massive impact this season when he’s been fit, and will help us in terms of winning turnover ball.

“I’m sure Sarries would admit they were a little bit off their best when they came up here in the autumn, and we know we’ll have to work incredibly hard on Saturday to stay in the fight. They’re going for the play-offs and they’ve got loads of firepower, but our lads will be travelling down there with the right mind-set.

“Callum Chick and Jamie Blamire have done a great job of running the changing room this season, and there’s no lack of enthusiasm, effort or team spirit here. They’ve self-policed the discipline within the squad and I’m really grateful for it, because I’ve not had a single issue come across my desk during the entire time I’ve been here on that side of things.

“Nobody is walking around here with their bottom lip on the floor, there’s a great feeling around the place despite everything that’s going on, and credit to the players for that.

“This club will keep going despite the players who are leaving, and it’s honestly the most invigorating period of my long coaching career because I can see the massive potential around the place.”

Newcastle Falcons team v Saracens (Saturday, 3pm, StoneX Stadium, live on Discovery+)

15 Elliott Obatoyinbo, 14 Alex Hearle, 13 Connor Doherty, 12 Sammy Arnold, 11 Ben Stevenson, 10 Brett Connon, 9 Sam Stuart; 1 Adam Brocklebank, 2 Jamie Blamire, 3 Murray McCallum, 4 Sebastian de Chaves, 5 John Hawkins, 6 Freddie Lockwood, 7 Cameron Neild, 8 Callum Chick (captain).

Replacements: 16 Ollie Fletcher, 17 Micky Rewcastle, 18 Luan de Bruin, 19 Oscar Usher, 20 Tom Gordon, 21 Joe Davis, 22 Max Clark, 23 Oli Spencer.

Not available for selection: Eduardo Bello, Tim Cardall, John Kelly, Kiran McDonald, Jacob Oliver, Richard Palframan, Philip van der Walt.

Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Tobias Elliott, 13 Elliot Daly, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Rotimi Segun, 10 Fergus Burke, 9 Ivan van Zyl; 1 Eroni Mawi, 2 Theo Dan, 3 Alec Clarey, 4 Maro Itoje (captain), 5 Nick Isiekwe, 6 Theo McFarland, 7 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 8 Ben Earl.

Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Sam Crean, 18 Harvey Beaton, 19 Tom Willis, 20 Andy Onyeama-Christie, 21 Charlie Bracken, 22 Louie Johnson, 23 Angus Hall.

Referee: Jack Makepeace.