Tom Gordon and Ben Redshaw return for Newcastle Falcons on Friday when Gloucester Rugby provide the opposition in their final home game of the season.

Gordon packs down on the open-side flank for the Gallagher Premiership clash, which is a 7.45pm kick-off at Kingston Park, having returned from injury as a replacement during last weekend’s trip to Saracens.

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Redshaw starts on the wing against the club he will join in the summer – Alex Hearle moving one place infield after hamstring injuries ruled out centres Max Clark and Connor Doherty.

Captain Callum Chick and hooker Jamie Blamire play their last home games for the Falcons ahead of summer moves to the East Midlands, while Ollie Fletcher misses out after injuring his collar bone last weekend at Saracens.

Director of rugby Steve Diamond said: “Our supporters have been fantastic this season, and we want to show them our appreciation with a big performance in our last home game of the campaign.

“They understand the bigger picture and have been magnificent in how they’ve stuck by the team, and there’ll be a lot of emotion around the place with the likes of Callum and Jamie playing their final home game.

“We took a four-try bonus point at Saracens last weekend which hardly any teams have done this season, but the score blew out towards the end became embarrassing, if we’re honest. We couldn’t defend the maul, our backs were all at sea, people were on their own agendas rather than working as a collective and it wasn’t pleasant going through the video.

“Everyone knows we’re in the shop window here at the moment, and we’ve got to get our act together if we’re going to attract the kind of investment that we need.”

Asked about media reports around the off-field situation, Diamond said: “I can’t comment on the specifics of the articles because I’m not personally involved in that process, but it’s a great time for people to come and invest in Premiership rugby.

“Last weekend we saw two league games with crowds in the region of 50,000 at Principality Stadium and Allianz Stadium, TNT Sports have just announced a new five-year TV deal on improved money, there’s an eight-year professional game agreement signed with the RFU, the Premiership final has sold out earlier than ever and there has been a massive rise in engagement with young supporters.

“Companies, conglomerates and big investors will be looking for ways to get involved with the league because it’s a great opportunity, and the facts speak for themselves. There’s massive potential here at Newcastle, but first and foremost we’ve got a big game on Friday and we want to give our home supporters a positive memory to go away with over the summer.

“We’re representing a proud club here, and we want to be highly competitive for our supporter base. Gloucester are a good attacking side who thrive on turnover ball, and if we’re loose in possession they’ll punish us.

“I still believe in the ability and team spirit we’ve got within our own group, and I’ve got every confidence we’ll make it a great contest.”

Tickets for Friday’s game are available by clicking here.

Newcastle Falcons team v Gloucester Rugby (Friday, 7.45pm, Kingston Park, live on Discovery+)

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

Replacements: 16 Bryan Byrne, 17 Micky Rewcastle, 18 Luan de Bruin, 19 Oscar Usher, 20 Freddie Lockwood, 21 Joe Davis, 22 Oli Spencer, 23 Max Pepper.

Not available for selection: Eduardo Bello, Tim Cardall, Max Clark, Connor Doherty, Ollie Fletcher, John Kelly, Kiran McDonald, Jacob Oliver, Richard Palframan, Philip van der Walt.

Gloucester Rugby: 15 Santi Carreras, 14 Christian Wade, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Seb Atkinson, 11 Jack Cotgreave, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Tomos Williams; 1 Ciaran Knight, 2 Jack Singleton, 3 Kirill Gotovtsev, 4 Arthur Clark, 5 Freddie Clarke, 6 Freddie Thomas, 7 Lewis Ludlow (captain), 8 Ruan Ackermann.

Replacements: 16 Seb Blake, 17 Jamal Ford-Robinson, 18 Afolabi Fasogbon, 19 Cam Jordan, 20 Albert Tuisue, 21 Caolan Englefield, 22 Charlie Atkinson, 23 Will Butler.

Referee: Matthew Carley.