EXCITING French winger, Maxime Lebasse, will be making his debut for Wharfedale in their final pre-season friendly against Tynedale at The Avenue on Saturday.

Labasse scored two tries for the Foresters as they beat North Ribblesdale last Thursday and gets the chance to impress against the National League Two North outfit.

Also making their home debuts will be young prop Ricky Cano, who has joined Wharfedale from the Chinnor club in Oxfordshire, and ex-Darlington Mowden Park lock George Hedley.

Just as exciting, for Dale fans, will be the return of two of last season’s long-term injured, former captain Rob Baldwin, and live-wire scrum-half Philip Woodhead.

For a number of years, Tynedale were Wharfedale’s closest relations in National League One.

The two clubs are geographically close, but also close in character and outlook.

Last season, however, injuries dealt a particularly savage hand to Tynedale, who found themselves relegated.

With a new management in place, the Corbridge outfit is planning to bounce back at the first time of asking.

Having lost narrowly at Stourbridge, Wharfedale will be intent on finding some winning form before the league kicks off next week, away to Coventry.

The Avenue proved a fortress for Wharfedale last season, with the team gaining wins against many of the most prestigious teams in the league.

They will be hoping the vociferous support of the home crowd will prove to be their 16th man again.